"Breeding threatened mammals in fenced, predator-free areas is a common conservation strategy in Australia. The method is designed to protect vulnerable species and breed animals for release into the wild.

But our research – involving a cute, digging mammal known as a woylie – suggests the strategy may put animals at a distinct disadvantage once they’re fending for themselves.

We found animals bred in fenced conservation areas, known as “havens”, lost traits they need to detect and escape predators. It’s likely this made them less able to survive in the wild." #science #conservation #Australia #marsupials #CaptiveBreeding #animals #nature #endangered #AnimalBehaviour #rewilding #woylies #bettongs #mammals

'Too small and carefree': endangered animals released into the wild may lack the match-fitness to evade predators https://theconversation.com/too-small-and-carefree-endangered-animals-released-into-the-wild-may-lack-the-match-fitness-to-evade-predators-206927

A little bit of quite lovely news. 💜

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-6B5HFiWsQ

>Critically endangered #bettongs thrive in South Australia reserve after local #extinction

#biodiversity

"Reintroducing the bettongs should see a cascade of positive effects. The bettongs are prolific diggers, with one single animal moving between 2-6 tonnes of soil a year.

By digging, #bettongs improve the soil, spread #seeds and create #MicroClimates and #WaterPools for bugs and plants to grow."

Decimated brush-tailed #bettong makes a startling return – with the help of #PeanutButter | #Australia #Marsupials | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/18/decimated-brush-tailed-bettong-makes-a-startling-return-with-the-help-of-peanut-butter

"The Australian bush was once full of rabbit-size marsupials darting and jumping around “like mini-kangaroos on steroids”, says ecologist Derek Sandow.

But since European invasion, the arrival of cats and foxes and the disappearance of habitat has left the brush-tailed bettong hanging on in only a handful of spots on the vast continent and on island refuges." #animals #nature #conservation #endangered #GoodNews #Australia #bettongs #marsupials #mammals #macropod

Decimated brush-tailed bettong makes a startling return – with the help of peanut butter | Australia news | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/18/decimated-brush-tailed-bettong-makes-a-startling-return-with-the-help-of-peanut-butter

Release of 10 #quolls boosts ‘insurance’ population of endangered #marsupial "Other species successfully released into the Upper Hunter sanctuary by the nonprofit include #Tasmaniandevils, long-nosed #potoroos, rufous #bettongs and brush-tailed rock #wallabies. #Australia #rewilding #biodiversity
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/30/release-of-10-endangered-quolls-boosts-insurance-population-of-endangered-marsupial?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other