Tuesday Curatorial: Back from the ashes - Recovering Gilbert’s potoroo

Hear about the conservation story of Gilbert’s potoroo, from its rediscovery near Albany to the ongoing efforts to rebuild the population after devastating bushfires.

Gilbert’s potoroo is a critically endangered marsupial thought extinct until 1994, when a tiny group of around 30 individuals was found at Two Peoples Bay, near Albany.

 Through years of intensive work by scientists, land managers and volunteers, the situation had improved. By 2012, with two new “insurance” populations and over 130 potoroos in existence.

In November 2015, however, a lightning storm a ignited a bushfire at Two Peoples Bay that burnt 90% of the potoroos’ habitat there and most of the potoroos. 

Join Tony Friend, a wildlife scientist involved in the conservation since 1999 as he takes you through the progress that has been made recently to restore this important potoroo population.

Presented by Dr Tony Friend, Research Associate, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

This event is funded by the Australian Government and South Coast NRM, a member of the Regional Delivery Partners panel, and is delivered by Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.