Saving the Bilby in Queensland

The Queensland bilby population is the most threatened and genetically distinct population in Australia. It has declined in range during the past 10 years and is continuing to do so. A bilby sanctuary in the Currawinya National Park near Charleville was the dream of conservationists Frank Manthey and Peter McRae who campaigned to raise $300,000 to build a 25sq km electrified predator-proof fence.

The Currawinya National Park falls close to the centre of the bilby’s former range in eastern Australia.

Weather conditions there provide a reliable and diverse food supply. The reintroduction of bilbies to this park forms part of a national strategy to recover endangered species to either their former status or at a minimum to secure the status of existing wild populations.