Following its near miss in the election to become the ACT’s official mammal emblem earlier this year, the endangered Eastern Bettong has been added to the Territory’s threatened native species list.
Announcing the decision, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said Eastern Bettongs were once common around Canberra but became extinct on mainland Australia almost 100 years ago following the introduction of foxes and increased land clearing and livestock grazing.
“We brought 60 Eastern Bettongs from Tasmania, the only place they are now found in the wild, to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary in 2011 and 2012,” Mr Gentleman said.
He said that once here, the small kangaroo-like marsupials thrived and became popular with residents and visitors alike.
“There are now at least 160 animals in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary and 70 in Tidbinbilla.
“Following the success of the Bettong’s reintroduction, the ACT Scientific Committee identified the need to give them future protection through listing in the ACT’s Threatened Native Species List under the category of Regionally Conservation Dependent,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Listing an animal is formal recognition of the need for ongoing management to conserve the species.”
He said that after public consultation late last year, the Scientific Committee formally recommended that the Eastern Bettong be added to the List.
“Based on that advice, I have now made that listing,” the Minister said.
