Bandicoot ‘Back From The Brink’ Of Extinction

Once considered extinct for over three decades, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot has made its return to the wild, become the first Australian species to have its conservation status changed.

Considered common across the grassy plains of South-Western Victoria, they currently remain on the Endangered Species List, with new populations steadily thriving after successful breeding and release programs lead by Zoos Victoria.

On The Record presenter Jesse Begley is joined in the studio with Associate Professor Bill Bateman, a leading expert on animal populations from Curtin University.

Together they discuss the effectiveness of the breeding and release programs, questioning whether the initiatives have enabled the Eastern Barred Bandicoot to thrive, how they adapted to the wilderness after being raised in captivity, including what factors caused the Bandicoot Species to become endangered, and whether any potential future threats remain further ahead.

On The Record – Bandicoot Revival 28-09-2021