Bilby baby boom just in time for Easter
GOOD EASTER NEWS has arrived. A breeding program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has successfully bred 19 bilby joeys since it began in mid-October last year.
“We are truly amazed at the success of the program to date, especially considering the drought conditions our region experienced over the summer.
“During this time we provided extra supplement feeding to ensure the Bilbies were able to cope with the conditions,” said Greater Bilby Keeper, Steve Kleinig.
“Now that Dubbo has received some good rainfall over the past three months and the habitat in the Sanctuary has improved significantly, we are seeing the Bilbies gaining weight and all are now breeding.”
Five of the joeys are already independent from their mothers and all seven females in the 110-hectare sanctuary are currently carrying twins.
Later in the year, more adult bilbies will be added to the population to increase the genetic diversity of the group. By 2021, the team at Taronga hope they can be released back into the wild.
