The Wild Deserts project aims to bring back seven native mammal species to the NSW corner country, using large fenced exclosures and a range of innovative predator control and research techniques in Sturt National Park.
Feral predators and herbivores such as cats, foxes and rabbits have been eradicated from two large exclosures, and the Wild Deserts team are starting to reintroduce the mammals that were once widespread in NSW, but have not been seen for over a century.
Crest-tailed Mulgara
The Crest-tailed Mulgara is best described as a miniature Tasmanian devil - a ferocious micro-predator that eats almost anything smaller then itself!
Mulgaras were reintroduced at Wild Deserts in August 2020.
Bilbies
Bilbies are delicate desert survivors. Their diggings for insects, seeds and plant roots help water and carbon infiltrate the soil.
Bilbies were reintroduced at Wild Deserts in September 2020.
Shark Bay bandicoot (Talpero)
Australia's smallest bandicoot, the Shark Bay bandicoot (Talpero), escaped total extinction by surviving on two predator-free islands in Western Australia.
Shark bay bandicoots (Talpero) were introduced at Wild Deserts in May 2021.
Golden bandicoot
The Golden bandicoot is also a great digger, moving between grass clumps to dig for insects, roots and tubers.
Golden bandicoots were released at Wild Deserts in 2022.
Stick-nest rat
The Stick-nest rat builds barrel-sized nests from sticks where it shelters from predators and the elements and raises its young.
Burrowing bettongs
Burrowing bettongs live in warrens. Their diggings make them an important engineer, improving soil health and mixing organic matter. One bettong can shift three tonnes of soil in a year!
Western quoll
A formidable native cat-sized carnivore, the Western quoll preys on small animals up to the size of a rabbit. Females have a pouch and can have up to six joeys.
