Ground-breaking project helping native mammals avoid extinction
A conservation strategy aiming to reduce the number of native mammals on the brink of extinction is making progress, with 150 animals released into a feral predator-free area since August 2021.
A project to release three vulnerable species into the Mallee Cliffs National Park – 60 red-tailed phascogales, 70 brush-tailed bettongs, and 20 numbats – was performed as part of the NSW Government’s conservation strategy.
Environment Minister James Griffin said the project also removes feral cats and foxes from the landscape, creating safe refuges for endangered mammals.
“I can’t overstate how important this project is for protecting biodiversity – it’s one of the most ambitious mammal rewilding programs in Australia,” Mr Griffin said.
Mallee Cliffs National Park is one of seven feral predator-free areas already operational or being established in a partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and Wild Deserts, and led by the University of NSW.