Western Plains Zoo sanctuary to aid Bilby conservation

Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo has commenced development of a 110-hectare breeding sanctuary for the Greater Bilby in a bid to re-introduce the creatures back into the wild in late 2019.

Seen as a significant step in the Wild Deserts project, the plan aims to bring back seven locally extinct mammals to Sturt National Park which hasn’t been seen for more than a century in NSW.

Introducing the program, NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton stated “the breeding sanctuary is an extraordinary development that will make a nationally significant contribution to wildlife and environmental conservation.

“This sanctuary shows why NSW is well on its way to becoming a global centre of excellence in wildlife conservation and education.”

Next year 10 Greater Bilbies will be introduced to the sanctuary following the installation of fencing and clearing of feral predators.

UNSW scientist and Director for the UNSW Centre for Ecosystem Science Professor Richard Kingsford, the Wild Deserts project lead, said that the Wild Deserts project was a ground-breaking conservation opportunity.

Professor Kingsford stated “the Greater Bilby is a delicate but vital desert survivor. By digging for insects, seeds and plant roots, they help water and carbon infiltrate the soil, which in turn will trigger a restoration of Sturt National Park’s desert ecosystems.

“By restoring the native wildlife over the next 10 years, we will turn the desert around.”

The Wild Deserts project is a partnership between the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the University of NSW Sydney and Ecological Horizons, in collaboration with Taronga Conservation Society Australia. The Greater Bilby breeding sanctuary at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been made possible through a major philanthropic donation to the Taronga Foundation.

The Greater Bilby breeding sanctuary is part of a NSW Government $41.3 million Rewilding project. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy and UNSW are also reintroducing locally extinct mammals, including Greater Bilbies from the sanctuary, into Mallee Cliffs National Park and the Pilliga State Conservation Area.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy Chief Executive Atticus Fleming added “this is one of the world’s most significant biodiversity reconstruction projects – it aims to turn back the tide of mammal extinctions in Australia.”

Main image courtesy of Rick Stevens.

12th July 2017 - TARONGA ZOO MOVES TOWARD PLASTIC-FREE OPERATIONS

4th July 2017 - NEW FUNDING AIDS TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO

7th October 2016 - TARONGA ZOO MARKS 100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION

17th April 2016 - DESIGNS REVEALED FOR NEW TARONGA WILDLIFE RETREAT 

30th November 2015 - TARONGA ZOO AND TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO RECOGNISED AT NSW TOURISM AWARDS 

6th June 2015 - AUSTRALIAN NATIVE MAMMALS TO BE REINTRODUCED TO NSW

11th January 2015 - NSW GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO PROTECT THREATENED NATIVE SPECIES

29th November 2014 - WILDENDURANCE EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR KOALA PROTECTION 

20th April 2014 - ROYAL COUPLE OPEN TARONGA ZOO BILBY EXHIBIT

13th May 2012 - FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROTECTION OF NSW KOALAS 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.