Fiona Carpenter, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Martin Dziminski, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Bruce Greatwich, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Ruth McPhail, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Dr Lesley Gibson, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is a burrowing marsupial that was once widespread across most of mainland Australia. Since European colonisation, the range and abundance of greater bilbies have decreased severely, and bilbies have disappeared from at least 80% of their former range. This has been attributed to the introduction of the cat and fox, changed fire regimes, the degradation of bilby habitat through pastoralism, introduced herbivores, and clearing of habitat. The bilby is listed as Vulnerable in Western Australia, and nationally and internationally under the IUCN Red List. The bilby has high cultural and iconic significance to Australians, and has an important ecological role in arid environments as an ecosystem engineer through their beneficial digging and soil turn-over. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertake a number of bilby research and management projects across Western Australia in which partnerships with Traditional Owner Rangers are a key component.