When a species becomes ‘un-extinct’, how can their population be bolstered in the wild, but also be reintroduced into culture? Once plentiful in South-West Western Australia, the Gilbert’s potoroo was thought to be extinct for over a hundred years. Since their rediscovery by Western Science in 1994, it has now gained the title of the world’s rarest marsupial, with only just over a hundred individuals.

James and Elysee head to Two Peoples Bay to speak to Leigh Whisson, a conservation biologist, who was there on the day of its rediscovery. He explains how the potoroo was able to be found and protected because of the protection of another endangered species, the noisy scrub bird. Dr. Jackie Courtenay describes the early days of working with the potoroos and trying to help their population.

Next, James and Elysee follow Dr Tony Friend from the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, to a predator-free insurance population to survey Gilbert's Potoroo numbers. As they go through traps and find potoroos and collect data, Tony talks about translocation and threats.

Finally, Leigh and Jackie talk about the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group and the importance of field volunteering, fundraising, and awareness raising to help the Gilbert’s Potoroo recover from the risk of both biological and societal extinction.

Thank you to:

Leigh Whisson and Dr. Jackie Courtenay from the Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group.

To volunteer, donate and become a member visit: https://www.potoroo.org/
https://www.facebook.com/GilbertsPotorooActionGroup/

Dr. Tony Friend

Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee.

This Marsupial Was Thought to be Extinct For Over 100 Years – Wildlife Ahead Ep #6