Close-up of a Bilby at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary.

© Hannah Nichols

Australia’s threatened Greater Bilby, affectionately known as the Easter Bilby, has recorded its biggest population increase in recent years. New data from Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) Annual Bilby Census reveals the population on AWC sanctuaries and partnership sites is now more than four times larger than it was five years ago.

Data compiled from Bilby populations at six AWC sanctuaries in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, and New South Wales, estimates a total of 5,330 individuals. This is an increase of 2,000 Bilbies in the past year (3,330), and four times the population recorded in 2021 (1,230). AWC’s sanctuaries continue to conserve the largest collective population of Bilbies in the world that are actively protected from the threat of foxes and cats, a responsibility made even more poignant given the extinction of the Lesser Bilby last century.

This year’s momentum was driven by milestones at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary on Ngalia Walpiri and Luritja Country in Central Australia, and Mallee Cliffs National Park on Barkandji country in south west NSW, where AWC works in partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Newhaven delivered its first population estimate since Bilbies were reintroduced three-and-a-half years ago. Surveys revealed around 530 Bilbies are now thriving at the sanctuary, a rapid increase from the original 66 founders released inside the 9,450-hectare feral predator-free fenced area.

At Mallee Cliffs, the Bilby population has risen considerably over the last four years, since the species was released from the 480-hectare breeding area into the 9,570-hectare feral predator-free fenced area. The first population estimate for Bilbies has shown there are now 1,840 individuals present, a significant increase on the 107 individuals released between 2021 and 2023.

Tim Allard, AWC Chief Executive Officer, said the results mark early momentum in AWC’s long-standing efforts to protect the species, underscoring the power of feral predator-free landscapes.

“When freed from the relentless predation pressures of feral cats and foxes, Australia’s wildlife can naturally rebuild their populations, often far more rapidly and robustly than expected,” said Tim. “The Bilby population growth at AWC sanctuaries over the last five years show the remarkable resilience that emerges once key threats are finally removed.”

In the center of Australia, Dr Tim Henderson, AWC Wildlife Ecologist, said Newhaven’s Bilby population growth can also be attributed to great environmental conditions, with above-average rainfall of 637 mm in 2024 – the highest since 2001, and the 5^th wettest year on record.

“Bilbies will breed up successfully when conditions are good and food resources are plentiful,” explained Dr Henderson. “Pair this resource-rich environment with the protection of the feral predator-free fenced area, and the population has been able to thrive.”

With so many Bilbies digging around the sanctuary, Dr Henderson said the little ecosystem engineers have reshaped Newhaven’s landscape in remarkable ways.

“Bilbies are amazing diggers and have absolutely transformed the environment by foraging for food and constructing burrows,” said Dr Henderson. “Their digging turns over large amounts of soil, helping retain rainfall and promote new vegetation growth. The burrows they create are also sometimes used by other reintroduced species such as Golden Bandicoots and Brushtail Possums, as well as extant species like the Mulgara.”

Looking ahead, Dr Henderson said the outlook for the species remains promising.

“We expect the population to continue increasing over the next three-to-six years,” he explained. “However the boom-and-bust nature of the desert means numbers may fluctuate with changing conditions, particularly if we’re heading into drier years. Even so, the resilience we’re seeing now gives us real confidence in the long-term future of the species.”

Meanwhile in the spinifex covered dunes of Mallee Cliffs, Dr Rachel Ladd said the Bilbies were quick to disperse across the wider fenced area and take advantage of the extra space for burrowing and breeding.

“Our motion sensor cameras are picking them up across the entire feral predator-free fenced area,” said Dr Ladd. “We are picking them up on 95% of our cameras, which alone is a strong indicator that the population has spread across the safe haven and utilising the full extent of the protected habitat.”

“Since the Bilbies were released into the wider fenced area, we’ve also had reasonable environmental conditions. This would have increased their capacity for high reproductive output, contributing to the steady growth in numbers.”

Beyond Newhaven and Mallee Cliffs, results from AWC sanctuaries across the country paint a similarly encouraging picture for the species.

At Pilliga State Conservation Area on Gamilaroi Country in north west NSW, another partnership site with NPWS, the Bilby population remains stable across the entire 5,800 hectare feral predator-free fenced area. The last survey and population estimate of 120 individuals was done shortly after the internal breeding area fence (680 hectares) was removed. Evidence from remote surveillance cameras has shown that the Bilby population has since gradually distributed across the entire wider fenced area, with Bilbies detected at 100% of cameras across the fenced area in 2025.

Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary on Barkandji country in far western NSW continues its long-term recovery following the severe 2018–19 drought. The recent estimate of 1,830 Bilbies marks steady growth from 1,650 last year, and a remarkable rebound from just 275 individuals recorded during the first year of the census.

Nearby at Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary on the land of Ngarrindjeri Nation in the south east of Australia, the upward trend is even more pronounced. The population has more than doubled in the past year, rising from 95 to 210 individuals, despite very dry conditions in 2025. Bilbies at Yookamurra are protected by the feral predator exclusion fence and have potentially benefitted from recent abundance of prey including locally thriving mallee caterpillars and harlequin beetles.

At Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary on Badimia Country in Western Australia, a rough estimate of the population sits at 800 individuals. Although slightly lower the previous estimate of 990, the 2025 figure was derived opportunistically during surveys of the Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong) rather than through a dedicated Bilby census. Limited movement between trap sites suggests the estimate is conservative, and the population remains stable within the sanctuary’s fenced area.

“The Bilby’s comeback will be one of Australia’s great conservation success stories,” said Tim. “Seeing populations stabilise, expand, and in some cases boom, gives us real hope. It shows that with the right protection and partnerships, we can turn the tide for threatened wildlife across the country.”

For more information on AWC’s work with the Greater Bilby, click here.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a pragmatic, on-ground global conservation leader, conserving landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Informed by science, we deliver measurable conservation impact at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species and their habitats, including restoring degraded landscapes where necessary.

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au

Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!