We are promoting community support of this initiative by:
- Preserving and restoring local habitat corridors
- Raising community awareness about conservation
- Partnering with environmental groups to safeguard biodiversity
Council's protective measures:
- Habitat enhancement and connectivity: The council is working to manage noxious weeds and protect natural vegetation regeneration to improve connectivity between fragmented habitat patches.
- Underground crossings: The council has installed bandicoot crossings in Koo Wee Rup to reduce roadkill and is monitoring their use to potentially implement them in future projects.
- Biolinks Plan: The council has adopted a Biolinks Plan to create strategic links between fragmented areas of vegetation to support the movement and genetic diversity of native wildlife, including the Southern Brown Bandicoot.
How the community can help:
- Responsible pet ownership: Keep cats contained, especially at night, and ensure dogs are on leashes in public areas.
- Citizen science: Report Southern Brown Bandicoot sightings to the iNaturalist app to help the council track populations and focus its conservation efforts.
- Wildlife-friendly gardening: Residents can help by creating habitats in their gardens. Cardinia Shire Council offers resources and guidance for its "Gardens for Wildlife" program. Protect remnant vegetation: Help protect and increase native vegetation on your own property.
Bandicoot sightings in Koo Wee Rup
Have you seen our outdoor pavement stickers along the Koo Wee Rup Rail Trail? These stickers are marking 'bandicoot sightings' and serve as reminders for residents to keep their dogs on lead and ensure their cats remain on private property.
A collaborative effort between governments and community aims to safeguard the southern brown bandicoots and preserve biodiversity in the Koo Wee Rup area. Together, we can make a significant impact.
More information
If you would like to get involved in the protecting wildlife program, see details below.
Contact: Southern Brown Bandicoot Outreach Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Phone: (03) 5990 2262
Email: sbb@rbg.vic.gov.au