A Brief History

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is Victoria’s most endangered
native mammal. Once widespread across the Western Volcanic Plains, it was
declared extinct in the wild due to habitat loss and predation by introduced
species such as foxes and cats.

In 1988, a dedicated recovery team, made up of community
groups, scientists, and conservation organisations, stepped in to catch the
last remaining wild bandicoots. Their goal? To begin a captive breeding and
release program to save the species from total extinction.

The Role of Woodlands Historic Park

Located on the outskirts of Melbourne, Woodlands Historic
Park became one of the first Eastern Barred Bandicoot reintroduction sites.
Since 2011, Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) has partnered with Parks
Victoria to manage the 235-hectare predator-proof sanctuary.

Our focus: restoring native grasslands, essential habitat
that provides food and shelter for these little eco engineers. Bandicoots play
a vital role in the ecosystem by digging for insects, aerating soil, and
improving plant regeneration.

They’re not just survivors. They’re little eco diggers
helping to heal the land.

Why We Need Your Support

To survive and thrive, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot
population at Woodlands needs to maintain around 400 individuals. But these
shy, nocturnal marsupials have short lifespans (just 2 to 3 years) so
population numbers fluctuate quickly.

That’s why regular monitoring is essential. Each season, CVA
works with Zoos Victoria and local volunteers to safely trap, assess, and then
release the bandicoots. These checks help us estimate population size, track
genetic diversity, and monitor health conditions.

But maintaining this sanctuary is not easy. In recent years,
funding for the site has been significantly reduced. We need ongoing support
to:

• Restore and maintain native grassland habitat


• Conduct seasonal population monitoring


• Repair and protect the predator-proof fencing


• Deliver community & education programs

How You Can Safeguard a Bandicoot

To keep this nationally significant sanctuary running, we need to raise $150,000 per year.

Every donation helps us continue this vital work: $250 contributes to funding a volunteer day for habitat restoration.