It looks like a tiny kangaroo and it’s bouncing back from the brink of extinction

It looks like a tiny kangaroo and it’s bouncing back from the brink of extinction. The brush-tailed bettong, a small marsupial resembling a miniature kangaroo with a pouch for its young, is making a remarkable comeback in Australia. This adorable creature, however, has a surprising survival tactic: when threatened, it ejects its joey from its pouch to distract predators, a brutal but effective strategy.

Once widespread across mainland Australia, the brush-tailed bettong (also known as the woylie) suffered a drastic 90% population decline between 1999 and 2010. Habitat loss due to European colonization, predation by feral cats and foxes, and the spread of blood parasites decimated their numbers, restricting them to a mere 1% of their former range in a few isolated pockets and islands of Southwestern Australia.

But hope has arrived in the form of Marna Banggara, an ambitious ecological restoration project on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. Formerly known as the “Great Southern Ark,” this initiative, led by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board in partnership with the Narungga people, aims to restore the region’s lost biodiversity. “Marna in our language means good, prosperous, healthy, and Banggara means country,” explains Garry Goldsmith, a member of the Narungga community.

The project began with the construction of a 25-kilometer predator-control fence, creating a 150,000-hectare safe haven. Between 2021 and 2023, nearly 200 brush-tailed bettongs, sourced from various populations across Western Australia, were reintroduced to this protected area. This strategic approach ensured a healthy “increase [in] the genetic pool,” vital for the species’ long-term survival, according to Goldsmith. Sandow emphasizes that this genetic diversity is crucial, as these individuals “hold the genetic footprint for the future of the species here.”

These tiny marsupials are not just cute; they’re crucial “ecosystem engineers.” Feeding primarily on underground fungi, they dig extensively, turning over two to six tons of soil per year. “They’re nature’s little gardeners,” says Sandow. This digging aerates the soil, improves water filtration, and aids seed germination, benefiting the entire ecosystem, including other animals. This makes them an ideal keystone species for reintroduction efforts. Their gardening activities also have implications for home and garden enthusiasts. Understanding the role of these native diggers can inspire eco-friendly gardening practices that promote soil health and reduce the need for pest control. By choosing native plants, gardeners can create habitats that support these vital creatures and other beneficial wildlife.

The reintroduction program has exceeded expectations. A recent survey revealed that nearly 40% of the captured bettongs were descendants of the original reintroduced population, and a remarkable 22 out of 26 females were carrying pouch young. “They’re breeding and healthy,” Sandow proudly reports.

The success of Marna Banggara provides a blueprint for future conservation efforts. The team plans to reintroduce other locally extinct species, including the southern brown bandicoot, red-tailed phascogale, and western quoll. Sandow believes that these efforts, combined with predator control, will have positive effects on local industries like tourism, demonstrating that conservation and economic benefits can go hand in hand. This project offers a powerful example of how dedicated conservation efforts can bring a species back from the brink and restore the health of an entire ecosystem, offering valuable lessons for home and garden enthusiasts and anyone passionate about preserving our natural world.