Bandicoots get a boost

The Eastern barred Bandicoots of Phillip Island got a population boost last week, with the introduction of 100 new bandicoots.

Over the past decade, Phillip Island Nature Parks successfully translocated Eastern barred bandicoots to Churchill Island.

Prior to being introduced to Churchill Island in 2015, the species was declared extinct in the wild on mainland Australia.

Since then, the population has spread onto mainland residential areas and neighbouring farmland.

Then in 2017 the bandicoots were translocated to the Summerland Peninsula, with the tiny marsupial now spotted across the island.

Last week the population received another boost, with 100 new bandicoots, carefully bred to be better equipped for survival, introduced onto Phillip Island.

The new bandicoots were part of a breeding program by the Odonata Foundation.

Their work is based on breeding eastern barred bandicoot populations from mainland Australia with those from Tasmania - two genetically distinct populations which had been isolated from each other for over 10,000 years.

By diversifying and strengthening their gene pool, and by selectively breeding females with larger males, Odonata and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team has created a fitter, healthier population of animals with greater genetic diversity, more balanced sex ratios, and increased size.

Dr Duncan Sutherland, Senior Scientist at Phillip Island Nature Parks said it was a significant moment for the Eastern barred bandicoot.

"Translocating 100 animals to Phillip Island is the largest movement of this species ever undertaken and reflects more than a decade of collaboration and commitment across the National Recovery Program," he explained.

"These bandicoots have come from a new population, bred in a large, fenced reserve outside of Phillip Island, bringing together mainland and Tasmanian genetics.

"That diversity is critical and means we are now moving beyond simply rebuilding numbers and focusing on strengthening the genetic health, resilience and long-term survival of the species in the wild."

He said local volunteers play an essential role in helping the population thrive.

"We have a team of dedicated Eastern barred bandicoot volunteers that assist with the ongoing monitoring for this program, and they were delighted to be part of this recent release.

"From monitoring populations to supporting releases like this one, their contribution helps ensure Phillip Island remains a safe haven for threatened species.

"We also want to thank the community for the vital part they play. Simple actions like creating wildlife-friendly gardens, reporting sightings and keeping cats contained can make a real difference to the survival of these animals."

Shift

Dr Sutherland said the introduction heralded the start of a shift from recovery efforts to increasing the genetic health and fitness of the bandicoots.

He said the program is implementing "genetic rescue", a process that increases genetic diversity of a population suffering from low diversity, with the aim of increasing the fitness and adaptive potential of the population in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Both feral and domestic cats still pose a significant risk for this species, through predation and the spread of the disease toxoplasmosis.

Vehicles also pose a risk for the tiny marsupial, with a wildlife roadkill study on the Cowes Rhyll Road released in January 2026 showing 17 Eastern barred bandicoots had been killed on the road in the previous 12 months.

Members of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team behind the project include Cesar Australia, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Odonata Foundation, Parks Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Parks, The University of Melbourne and Zoos Victoria.

READ MORE: Bandicoot breeding boosts island population