Critically endangered woylies flown 2000km to repopulate South Australian area

A critically endangered species of marsupial found in the Lower South West has been flown more than 2000km away to repopulate a South Australian area where they have been extinct for a century. A total of 36 woylies have been flown to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, about 300km from Adelaide, as part of the Marna Banggara project. The tiny animals, which resemble a small kangaroo, will be used to repopulate the area as they play a critical role in its ecosystem. The woylie dig between two to six tonnes of dirt and leaf litter each year, which improves water infiltration, disperses seeds and helps native plants grow. Woylies once inhabited more than 60 per cent of mainland Australia, but introduced predators like feral cats and foxes and habitat loss pushed the species to the brink of extinction. Also known as a brush-tailed bettong, the animals are normally 1kg-1.5kg in weight, grey to reddish brown and have strongly clawed feet used for digging for food and nest making. They eat a range of food types including leaf material, seasonal fruits and bark, although fungi has been shown to be their main dietary component. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Donnelly District manages the healthy woylie population in the Upper Warren area and was tasked with trapping, tagging and processing 123 woylies over two nights with the help of volunteers and traditional owners to assess the suitability of each animal for translocation. From this, 36 woylies were selected to make the 2000km journey to South Australia having met the criteria for translocation. DBCA Donnelly district conservation co-ordinator Mark Virgo said woylies had survived in the South West because of the culling of feral animals through baiting programs and naturally acidic plants in the area. “The local community can assist DBCA in its efforts to conserve the critically endangered woylie by reporting any woylie sightings to your local DBCA office, bringing any sick or injured woylies to your local DBCA office or registered DBCA wildlife carer, or registering as a volunteer to assist with DBCA conservation programs,” he said. Landholders with big areas of agricultural land can also help by conducting feral animal control on their property where they are able to do so. Mr Virgo said staff had also been involved in a number of woylie translocations over the years, moving animals into sanctuaries and managed areas. “Everyone involved loves the work they do, particularly when they know it is significantly contributing to the conservation of a critically endangered species.”