Bilbies are desert-dwelling bandicoots about the size of a rabbit. They have large ears, a coat of soft, light grey and tan hair, and a very distinctive black and white tail.
In the late 18th century, Bilbies were hunted for their skins resulting in a large reduction in their population. Many Bilbies were also killed by traps and poison baits intended for rabbits.
Aboriginal Australians hunted Bilbies for food and for their skins, however this hunting is in no way responsible for the declining Bilby population.
Bilbies are slowly becoming endangered because of habitat loss and change as well as the competition with other animals. Feral cats pose a major threat to the bilby's survival, and it competes with rabbits for food. There is a national recovery plan being developed for saving these animals: this program includes breeding in captivity, monitoring populations, and reestablishing bilbies where they once lived.
If you spot a Bilby in the wild, please contact the websites below
Any info on sightings can help our bilby researchers.
You can help raise money to help put a stop to the steady decline of this delightful marsupial. Visit these websites at http://www.savethebilbyfund.com/ or http://www.bilbyrescue.com/