Rare marsupial released onto Western Australia’s Dirk Hartog Island

100 rare brush-tailed mulgaras have been returned to Western Australia’s Dirk Hartog Island/Wirruwana off the coast of Shark Bay following a marathon 844-kilometre journey.

As part of the Return to 1616 project, the rare marsupials travelled from Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara National Park in the Goldfields via plane and helicopter to their new home.

Classified as near-threatened, brush-tailed mulgaras are the eighth species to be translocated to the island as part of a project that has seen the reintroduction of rufous hare-wallabies, banded hare-wallabies, Shark Bay bandicoots, greater stick-nest rats, Shark Bay mice, dibblers and western grasswrens to the island.

Started in 2012, the Return to 1616 project is restoring the island to resemble the ecological condition from when Dutch sailor Dirk Hartog first explored the area more than four centuries ago.

A major achievement for the project came in 2018 when it became the world's largest island, at 63,300 hectares, to have feral cats, sheep and goats eradicated.

The program is primarily funded through the Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Fund, with additional support from Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Commenting on the project’s latest achievement, Western Australian Environment Minister, Reece Whitby stated “it's a privilege to visit Dirk Hartog Island and see an eighth species released as part of the ambitious Return to 1616 project.

"The project is safeguarding the populations of our precious wildlife. Once complete, Dirk Hartog will be home to the richest variety of native mammals of any island off WA.

"It's fantastic to be able to return these brush-tailed mulgaras to their predator-free island home.

The Wiluna Martu rangers, under the Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation, helped with the translocation, and were welcomed to the island by Malgana Traditional Owners.

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Image: A brush-tailed mulgara (top) and Dirk Hartog Island (below).