Resembling a small kangaroo, this species is bouncing back from the brink of extinction

The brush-tailed bettong, a small marsupial resembling a miniature kangaroo with a pouch for its young, has a surprising survival tactic: when threatened, it can eject its joey to distract predators while it escapes. This seemingly harsh behavior has been crucial for a species that was once declared extinct on South Australias Yorke Peninsula.

Historically, brush-tailed bettongs, also called woylies, roamed over 60% of mainland Australia. European settlement brought feral predators such as cats and foxes and destroyed vast tracts of native grasslands and woodlands. Between 1999 and 2010, their population plummeted by 90%, partly due to the spread of blood parasites and other environmental pressures. Today, the species survives in only a few islands and isolated mainland areas in Southwestern Australiajust 1% of its original habitat.

Our goal is to restore native species that disappeared following European colonization, explains Derek Sandow, project manager for Marna Banggara, an initiative aimed at bringing back Yorke Peninsulas ecological diversity. Originally launched in 2019 as the Great Southern Ark by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, the program was renamed to honor the local Narungga people, who are deeply involved in its efforts. In our language, Marna means good, prosperous, healthy, and Banggara means country, says Narungga community member Garry Goldsmith.

To create a safe environment for reintroduction, the team built a 25-kilometer predator-control fence across the Yorke Peninsula, establishing a 150,000-hectare protected area for the brush-tailed bettong, known as yalgiri in the Narungga language. Weve reduced fox and cat threats to a level that allows these yalgiri to survive, find food, and establish refuges, says Sandow.

Between 2021 and 2023, nearly 200 brush-tailed bettongs were reintroduced to the protected zone. Individuals were sourced from multiple Western Australian populations to strengthen genetic diversity. Increasing species diversity is vital because these animals carry the genetic foundation for the species future here, Sandow explains.

Brush-tailed bettongs primarily eat underground fungi, supplemented by bulbs, seeds, and insects. Their digging habits play a key ecological role. A single yalgiri can turn over two to six tons of soil annually, acting as natures gardeners, says Sandow. This activity aerates the soil, enhances water filtration, and promotes seedling growth, benefiting the broader ecosystem.

The reintroduction program is showing strong results. Recent monitoring found that almost 40% of the bettongs captured were offspring of the original reintroduced population, and most of the females were carrying young, indicating a healthy, reproducing community.

Looking ahead, the Marna Banggara team hopes to reintroduce additional locally extinct species, including the southern brown bandicoot, red-tailed phascogale, and western quoll. Sandow notes that restoring ecosystems through species reintroduction and predator management can also benefit local industries, including tourism and agriculture. Conservation and economic growth dont have to be at odds, he says.

Author's Commentary: The Brush-Tailed Bettong’s Remarkable Return

The reintroduction of the brush-tailed bettong to Yorke Peninsula is more than a wildlife story; it is a concrete example of targeted conservation yielding measurable results. Once widespread across Australia, the species now occupies only 1% of its original habitat. The coordinated effort by Marna Banggara, combining predator control, habitat protection, and genetic management, demonstrates a model approach for restoring species that have been locally extinct for decades.

What stands out is the ecological impact of these small marsupials. Beyond their survival, brush-tailed bettongs contribute to soil health and ecosystem regeneration through their digging and foraging behavior. The fact that nearly 40% of the current population are offspring of the reintroduced individuals confirms that the program is not merely relocating animals but successfully establishing a self-sustaining population.

Additionally, the project illustrates the importance of collaboration with local Indigenous communities. By integrating Narungga cultural knowledge and naming practices, the initiative fosters deeper community engagement and strengthens conservation outcomes. Looking forward, expanding reintroductions to other locally extinct species could further restore ecological balance, with potential benefits extending to tourism and agriculture.

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• It looks like a tiny kangaroo and it’s bouncing back from the brink of extinction