
Eastern Bettong (mainland)
EPBC Status: Extinct on the mainland
SPRAT Species Profile: Bettongia gaimardi gaimardi — Eastern Bettong (mainland)
Found in: Tasmania and the ACT (reintroduced)
Threatened Species Strategy Scorecards:
Eastern Bettong Year 3 scorecard 2018 (PDF - 393.99 KB)
Eastern Bettong Year 3 scorecard 2018 (DOCX - 405.78 KB)
Year 3 Scorecard Summary (2018)
The Eastern Bettong is a small, kangaroo-like marsupial. Its pre-European range included eastern Tasmania and a broad coastal strip from south-east Queensland to south-east SA. However, the mainland subspecies was extinct by the 1920s due to predation by foxes and feral cats, habitat loss and degradation, and persecution. The Threatened Species Strategy focus is on restoring the important ecological function of Bettongs to the mainland, which is occurring through translocations of the Tasmanian subspecies.
Tasmanian Bettongs were brought to the ACT in 2011 and 2012 to begin captive colonies at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. The Mulligans Flat population has increased from the founding 32 adults to a self-sustaining population of between 120 – 180 individuals. Population growth has slowed due to space limitations, but should increase when Bettongs are soon released into an adjacent fenced area (Goorooyarroo Woodland).
The population at Tidbinbilla has also grown and has stabilised to 50-85 individuals. A new 120 ha predator-free area is being constructed and may provide additional areas for Eastern Bettongs to expand in the future.
Further information
- Threatened species strategy
- 20 birds by 2020
- 20 mammals by 2020
- 30 plants by 2020
- Three year review of progress on priority bird and mammal species
Please note that this scorecard is due for review in Year 5 of the Threatened Species Strategy (2020). If you would like to contribute information on this species please provide your contact details to ThreatenedSpeciesCommissioner@awe.gov.au
Photo credit: Mulligan's Flat Wildlife Sanctuary