Earlier this month, the Bunyip Landcare Group hosted an information evening for local landholders and community members about a beautiful but reclusive local resident; the Southern Brown Bandicoot.
This shy native is a ground-dwelling marsupial that is around the same size as a small rabbit.
In the 1800’s it was a common mammal in many areas. Stories of bandicoot stew were even recalled at the information evening! But now, it is an endangered species, found only in southern Victoria with the largest population surviving in East Gippsland.
Thankfully, we also have populations of the Bandicoot in the Casey and Cardinia areas, particularly in the flatter farmland to the north of Western Port.
Major threats to the Southern Brown Bandicoots include predation by foxes, dogs and cats. The loss of habitat by clearing of vegetation also limits where bandicoots can live.
To assist our local bandicoot populations, a “Habitat Protection & Conservation” project, funded by the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ program, is protecting and increasing habitat for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Westernport catchment.
At the same time, another project funded by ‘Caring for our Country’ is underway to protect and improve internationally-recognised wetlands for migratory bird species, including wetlands around Western Port. This is also helping protect habitat for Bandicoots.
These projects, together with the work of many individual landholders across the Cardinia Shire and City of Casey who are revegetating some of their land, ensures that this unique Australian marsupial has the opportunity to thrive within the area.
To find out how you can get involved in helping the local Bandicoots, contact Adam Shalekoff from Port Phillip and Westernport CMA on 03 8781 7962 or Susan Anderson from the Bunyip Landcare Group at susananderson@dcsi.net.au
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