Until bilbies were released into the area in late 2018, the Pilliga State Conservation Area hadn’t seen bilbies in the landscape for around 100 years, Now, new survey data has revealed that the species is thriving having returned home. 

Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) recent counts have revealed that the bilby populations are experiencing a boom within five protected sites, where the species can exist in a feral predator-free safe haven. 

From 2021 to 2022, Bilby populations increased across AWC sanctuaries from an estimated 1,230 individuals to 1,480. AWC protects at least 10% of Australia’s remaining Bilby population which is estimated at around 10,000 individuals.



According to AWC Wildlife Ecologist for the Pilliga Vicki Stokes, the higher than average rainfall last year created strong conditions for the home-grown easter bunnies. 

“This was the most successful trapping season thus far,” Ms Stokes said. 

After 60 individuals were reintroduced into the Pilliga in 2018, the population remained steady for the first two years, only seeing growth in 2021. 

By the end of 2021, the bilby population more than doubled, with 155 individuals counted in the survey. 

“It’s such a delight to see all the bilby diggings and burrows as you walk through the forest, something that has been missing from the landscape for a long time,” Ms Stokes said. 

The bilbies are habitating in a 5,800 hectare fenced area, free from feral predators that might compromise the population growth as part the Saving Our Species project, and are amongst five other locally-extinct species that have been and continue to be reintroduced to the Pilliga conservation area. 

In 2019, 42 adult Bridled Nailtail Wallabies were released, with eleven females carrying pouch young. 

The Western Quoll, Western Barred Bandicoot, Brush-tailed Bettong, and Plains Mouse are also set to make a return, joining the bilbies inside the fenced area.

“Our next survey will be in June and we’re expecting the population to continue to grow because conditions are so good with all the recent rain,” Ms Stokes said. 

Mt Gibson (WA), Scotia (NSW), Yookamurra (SA) and Mallee Cliffs (NSW) also saw booms in local bilby populations as part of the species recovery project.