Thirty bilbies have been released in a specially fenced area of Pilliga State Conservation Area to reduce their risk of extinction.
The bilbies are being housed within 32 kilometres of predator proof fence encompassing 5,800 hectares.
The bilbies are the first of 13 regionally extinct mammals to be reintroduced to select national parks in Western NSW. Bridled nail-tail wallabies, brush-tailed bettongs and numbats are among the species to follow.
Scientific research has shown these locally extinct mammals play a significant role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. The aim is that the Pilliga State Conservation Area will return to what it was like 200 years ago, before feral predators took their toll.
The Pilliga project is part of the Saving Our Species program and being carried out by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in a partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Minister for Environment, Local Government and Heritage Gabrielle Upton said the return of the bilby is internationally significant and a major victory in the campaign to save species from extinction.
“To have them back in our national parks is a magnificent sight to see and a clear innovative step by this government, towards securing populations of threatened species,” Ms Upton said.
“Bilbies are an iconic Australian native animal and with their long ears, they have become our own beloved symbol of Easter.”