KI Southern Brown Bandicoots
- YEAR: 2015
- STATE: South Australia
- FOCUS AREAS: Saving Species/SDG 15: Life on Land
Thanks to your support, the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots of Kangaroo Island are the focus of increased conservation efforts. Research provides the knowledge required to help this endangered species recover. The local community is encouraged help through collecting citizen science observations, and participating in small mammal surveys. Before this project, the Southern Brown Bandicoot was thought to be in decline. Now they have the conservation attention they need.
FNPW support
This project was funded through generous donations from FNPW supporters across Australia and beyond.
Project overview
A project to conserve the nocturnal and secretive southern brown bandicoot on Kangaroo Island in South Australia has successfully collected data that will improve fire management and conservation activities to protect the remaining bandicoot population on the island.
The FNPW funded project involved tracking bandicoots and signs of their presence through surveys and cameras, collecting new data, uploading all existing data onto a publicly available database and engaging the local community in reporting bandicoot sightings.
The southern brown bandicoot once lived throughout Australia but in South Australia, it is now only found on Kangaroo Island and in 2 areas on the mainland. Kangaroo Island is an important refuge for the endangered species as there are no foxes, however feral cats are a threat to the bandicoot and other small native animals on the island.
Bandicoot surveys and reported sightings on the island over the past 20 years suggested a serious decline in numbers and this project was proposed to establish the status and distribution information that is critical in forming a successful conservation plan to protect the species and their habitat.
The project was well supported by the local community who volunteered for project activities and helped promote the importance of biodiversity , habitat conservation and understanding the needs of native animals to locals and visitors. Field days, seminars and a school talk all helped raise awareness of the project.
Camera traps recorded bandicoots at 14 different locations and also a surprise photo – an endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart which was an unexpected sighting for such an elusive species.
This successful project had established the status of the southern brown bandicoot on Kangaroo Island, provided much-needed information on location and habitat and has contributed significantly to future fire and land management decisions. There has been ongoing community interest in habitat conservation and sightings of southern brown bandicoots are still being reported.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
FNPW supports projects across Australia. In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT
The project was completed in XXXX / is ongoing / due for completion in XXXX.
This project was funded by FNPW in 2015.
PROJECT PARTNERS
The South Australian Department for Environment and Water is the lead organisation for this project.
Further information about our project partner can be found on their website: