Eastern Barred Bandicoot Returns to the Wild in Groundbreaking Conservation Effort
Extinct Australian animal returns to wild in world-first programme
Mirror
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The eastern barred bandicoot, once declared extinct in the wild in 1991, has been reintroduced in Australia through a pioneering breeding program. Utilizing a gene-mixing technique, the initiative aims to bolster the population to at least 500 across multiple sites, supported by Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund.
- 01The eastern barred bandicoot was declared extinct in the wild in 1991, with only 60 individuals remaining.
- 02A world-first gene-mixing technique was used to enhance genetic diversity by crossbreeding bandicoots from mainland Australia and Tasmania.
- 03Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund contributed AU$2.5 million (approximately US$1.8 million) to support conservation efforts.
- 04The project aims to establish a population of at least 500 eastern barred bandicoots across five different locations in Australia.
- 05The initiative is part of a broader conservation strategy that includes other endangered species like the eastern quoll and southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby.
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The eastern barred bandicoot, a marsupial once declared extinct in the wild in 1991, has made a remarkable return to Australia through an innovative breeding program. This initiative, supported by Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund, utilized a groundbreaking gene-mixing technique that crossbred mainland Australian bandicoots with those from Tasmania, which have been genetically isolated for over 10,000 years. The project aims to create a robust population of at least 500 bandicoots across five different sites, thereby reducing the risk of extinction from natural disasters. The AU$2.5 million (approximately US$1.8 million) funding will also support the conservation of other endangered species in Australia, including the eastern quoll and southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby. Michael Miller, Amazon's Vice President, emphasized the significance of this genetic rescue program, stating that it could serve as a model for saving endangered species globally. The eastern barred bandicoot plays a crucial ecological role by improving soil health, which can enhance landscapes' resilience against floods and droughts.
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The successful reintroduction of the eastern barred bandicoot will not only help restore its population but also contribute to ecological health by improving soil quality and landscape resilience.
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