On French Island, toxoplasmosis was identified as an important source of mortality in addition to cat predation, and warrants further investigation. Threatened species biologists and other members of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team have been working with the French Island community for more than a decade in preparation for this moment. Considered extinct in the wild since 1991, the rabbit-sized eastern barred bandicoot has been introduced to French Island - 80 kilometres south-east of Melbourne in Western Port Bay. • Released EBBs with French Island community onto French Island in October 2019. Threatened species biologists and other members of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team have been working with the French Island community for more than a decade in preparation for this moment. Birds. See the Recovery Team website for details. A trial release of 18 non-breeding bandicoots on French Island occurred in 2012 (Groenewegen 2014). Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland) Perameles gunnii (unnamed subspecies) This Action Statement is based on the Recovery Plan prepared for this species by DSE under contract to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Parks in 2015 and Phillip Island in 2017. With Trial introductions occurring at French Island and planned for Tiverton Station. If you’ve never seen one before, it’s not too late. This trial found that the habitat on French Island was suitable for Eastern Barred Bandicoots but highlighted an issue with feral Cats that would need to be addressed prior to any further releases (Groenewegen 2014). Zoos Victoria began a captive breeding program and populations have been established in several predator-protected sites in Victoria. As the names suggests, it has 3-4 pale bars across its hindquarters. The benefits bandicoot digs have across agricultural land is of particular importance now that eastern barred bandicoots have also been released on Phillip Island and French Island, and are expected to extensively use pasture for foraging. Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Sambar deer, lizards, frogs and other small marsupials, native mammals thrive here because there are no foxes. Have you heard of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot? THE SPECIES The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a small marsupial endemic to south-eastern Australia. Zoos Victoria Threatened Species Biologist Dr Amy Coetsee said it had been a tumultuous journey to the French Island release. The December 2016 issue of Warron: The Eastern Barred Bandicoot Newsletter. The eastern barred bandicoot weighs less than 2 kg (4.4 lb) and has a short tail and three to four whitish bars across the rump. Eastern Barred Bandicoot. In Tasmania, the species is listed as “threatened” although still common in parts of the state. The bandicoots came from captive breeding programs as well as from Churchill and Phillip islands and Hamilton in western Victoria to begin their new life in Western Port. One of 20 eastern barred bandicoots being released on Churchill Island. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a small, yellowish-brown nocturnal marsupial. DECADES of conservation work have culminated in the release of around 50 eastern barred bandicoots on French Island. FOFI also responded to the survey. Description The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a small, ‘rabbit- Conservationists are celebrating the success of a program aimed at establishing an endangered species of bandicoot near Phillip Island, in eastern Victoria. Loading Replay In September 2015 Zoos Victoria put together an infographic (click to read) based on a survey that was sent to the French Island community regarding the potential release of Eastern Barred Bandicoots on the island. Conclusions: Our results suggest that French Island provides suitable habitat for the establishment of a population of eastern barred bandicoots. Zoos Victoria. French island is not within the natural range of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and its original vegetation is more suitable as habitat for the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot. The Eastern barred bandicoot has two separated populations, one on the mainland of Australia and one on the island of Tasmania. In 2012 a trial release of Eastern Barred Bandicoots was made on French Island, which is free of foxes but not cats. Zoos Victoria Threatened Species Biologist Dr Amy Coetsee said it had been a tumultuous journey to the French Island release. • Commenced the trial use of sheep guardian dogs to support unfenced populations of bandicoots. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is extinct in the wild and occurs as three introduced populations in southern Victoria: Hamilton Community Parklands, Mt Rothwell and Woodlands Historic Park. Thanks to a recovery program, this adorable species is rebounding from extinction. They are small, hairy and easily mistaken for rats, but scientists hope eastern barred bandicoots being released onto Phillip Island will bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The mainland subspecies of Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, is listed as extinct in the wild. More than 70 eastern barred bandicoots have travelled some 400 kilometres from Hamilton, on Victoria's mainland, to the safe haven of French Island in Western Port Bay. It’s a small furry marsupial that lives in Tasmania and Victoria, Australia. French Island is visited by 238 of the 400 bird species observed in Victoria