Endangered bilby expanding its territory

THE bilby, an endangered marsupial brought back from brink of extinction through the efforts of a small group of Queenslanders, is extending its territory.

The nocturnal, omnivorous marsupial once ranged over vast tracts of inland Australia but was made almost extinct by cats, foxes and wild dogs.

While a 25-square-kilometre electrified predator-proof enclosure near Charleville, in southwestern Queensland, is ensuring the bilby’s immediate survival, “spare” animals are being used to convince Australians that many native animals are in danger.