Reintroduction of Bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) to Matuwa, an Indigenous Protected Area in Western Australia

Abstract

The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) once occupied much of Australia's mainland. Bilbies are now listed as vulnerable and only occur in 20% of their former range. Operation Rangeland Restoration aims to to restore an ex−pastoral lease; reintroduce several species of locally extirpated fauna, including the bilby; and maintain the area in perpetuity for the conservation of Australian arid zone species. Bilbies were reintroduced to the Matuwa Indigenous Protected Area between 2007 and 2010 and, with ongoing landscape-scale control of feral predators, herbivores, and fire, have thrived. Here, we present a detailed account of the methods used during the reintroduction, showing that between 2007 and 2019 there has been an 88% increase in the area of occupancy by bilbies at Matuwa. The results of 2-ha track plot surveys conducted by the traditional owners of Matuwa suggest that the reintroduced bilbies are emigrating out of Matuwa. In addition, in 2018 and 2019 we used 120 camera-traps over 18 mo and occupancy analysis to confirm the widespread presence of bilbies across Matuwa and define significant habitat correlates. Bilbies were more likely to be detected on sandplains with Eucalyptus species as overstorey vegetation and Triodia as understorey vegetation. Bilbies were not detected in habitats with ≥ 75% bare ground. We attribute the success of the bilby reintroduction at Matuwa to the consistent implementation of landscape-scale control of feral predators.