How many Eastern barred bandicoots are left in Australia?

Answer 1

Initially, there were 11 species of bandicoot in Australia. Three are now extinct, and another three species are endangered.

Surviving species of bandicoot include:

• Eastern Barred bandicoot
• Western Barred bandicoot
• Greater bilby
• Southern Brown bandicoot
• Northern Brown bandicoot
• Golden bandicoot
• Long-nosed bandicoot

Answer 2

Data from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service indicates that, at one stage, numbers of wild eastern barred bandicoot on the mainland were less than ten, and it was considered "functionally extinct". However, thanks to an intensive captive breeding and re-introduction program within protected areas, these numbers have risen to 2,000, and the the eastern barred bandicoot is now officially listed as vulnerable under the national "Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999". The Eastern Barred bandicoot is not endangered in Tasmania, so there are no figures available for numbers there. There are no dingoes in Tasmania, so the lack of large predators has helped sustain the population, but the bandicoot is subject to predation by feral cats and foxes.

Answer 3

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is found in Tasmania and a small part of western Victoria.