From Extinction to Reintroduction: The Astonishing Comeback of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot

The eastern barred bandicoot, once written off as extinct in the wild, is making a remarkable comeback across Australia. After their numbers plummeted to just 60 in the 1990s, these endearing marsupials experienced a groundbreaking genetic rescue program that has brought them back to life. By mixing populations from the mainland and Tasmania—two groups that hadn’t exchanged genes in ten thousand years—the effort not only aims to restore their numbers but also to enhance genetic diversity in the species.

This ambitious reintroduction plan will see bandicoots released across six different sites, with a target of establishing a population of at least 500 animals. This project is about more than saving a species; it’s also an effort to nurture the land. These little diggers improve soil health and help combat environmental challenges like floods and droughts. Thanks to the support of Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, this mission has the potential to set a precedent for conservation efforts worldwide. The world may have lost the bandicoot once, but now it looks like it’s time for a triumphant return!