Success for southern brown bandicoots at Booderee after population disappeared for a century

In a nationally significant conservation outcome, Booderee National Park has re-established a population of southern brown bandicoots on Country.

This restores an important ecological and cultural presence after the species was locally extinct from the area for a century.

In the Dhurga language, the southern brown bandicoot is known as guragurr (short-nosed bandicoot).

The achievement demonstrates that its possible for some endangered Australian native mammals to survive outside fenced areas if fox numbers are kept low.

Southern brown bandicoots were once common around Jervis Bay before disappearing as European red foxes spread across the region, contributing to the decline of many of Australia's small and medium-sized native mammals.

Rather than relying on predator-proof fencing, Booderee National Park tested whether sustained fox control could create the conditions needed for native mammals to return to the area.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018 a small number of bandicoots were released into Booderee after being captured under licence in State Forests south of Eden. These forests are one of their last strongholds in New South Wales. Ten years later the team trapped 18 bandicoots in March and another 11 in May 2026, all born at Booderee.

The return of southern brown bandicoots to Booderee National Park helps restore natural ecosystems and cultural values.