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Kangaroos Save Bilbies In a unique example of co-operation between the commercial sector and the conservation movement, kangaroo meat will be used to help re-establish the endangered greater bilby in its natural environment. Greater Biblies are a small marsupial about the size of a rabbit with long rabbit like ears. Once common across western Queensland and NSW they have been driven almost to the point of extinction by competition from rabbits and predation by foxes, cats and wild pigs. However the Save the Bilby Fund, a joint effort between the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, has successfully reared captive bred bilbies which they intend to release latter this year into a 25 square kilometer fenced enclosure in Currawinya National Park. However they face one large problem. The National Park and surrounding area has large numbers of the predators which caused the bilbies decline in the first place. These have to be removed and the only effective way of doing so is by a large scale poison bait program, large enough to need 3.5 tonne of meat for the baits. This is where the kangaroo industry steeped in. "We have been having polite discussions with the Wildlife Preservation Society for some time". States Mr. John Kelly, Development Manager of the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia. "Normally conservation groups like the WPSQ and us don't seem to get on terribly well. But I think they are increasingly starting to recognizes we are really a 'conservation industry'. Kangaroo numbers must be managed to prevent overgrazing in the rangelands and ensure environmental sustainability. Most people in the kangaroo industry are quite proud of their role in helping to protect the environment." "Hence we were more than happy to help when the WPSQ asked us to donate kangaroo pet meat for the baiting program. Two of our Queensland members, Wattle Glen Pet Foods and Matilda Pet Foods will supply all the meat needed free of charge." "Hopefully this will ensure the released bilbies don't simply become feral cat tucker and have the chance to breed up to once again be a delightful and common sight in their natural environment." "I have suggested several other initiatives which I think the kangaroo industry and the WPSQ can co-operated on. I hope this represents the start of a fruitful working relationship between industry and the conservation movement. One which can deliver significant environmental benefits in the arid rangelands" For more information contact: Development
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