A HUGE step. Bilbies back in the wild. This will be a first for Queensland!
Excited, but also nervous.
That’s how I’m feeling right now, because we’re on the cusp of a historic step forward.
For the first time ever in Queensland, we are preparing to release our bilbies into the wild – outside the fence in Currawinya.
As loyal friends of the Greater Bilby, you know how BIG this is.
Bilbies have walked this land for more than 15 million years. But in the past two centuries, their world has been turned upside down.
Habitat destruction, introduced predators like foxes and feral cats, and human development have decimated their numbers. These incredible desert dwellers now exist only in small, fragile pockets – and it’s been devastating to see.
The bilbies’ future survival in the wild depends on people like you.
The good news is, inside the sanctuary of our predator-exclusion fence, the story has been different.
Thanks to your steadfast support, the bilby population has grown to over 400. The population growth has started to reach a natural limit—breeding has slowed as space becomes more populated.
Nature is sending us a clear signal. The bilbies are ready to expand their territory. And with your help, we’re ready to make that happen.
This project is set to be the culmination of years of work. The plan is for 150 bilbies to be transported from inside the fence to just outside it. It won’t be all at once. Every step will be done with immense care, guided by science, and backed by years of planning.
Dr. Cass, our lead ecologist, has shown me the data, and the decision is clear: the time is right. But releasing the bilbies is only one part of the journey. Keeping them safe afterwards—that’s the real challenge.
And that’s where you come in.
I don’t want to think about where we’d be without you all. You’ve all been there to support the bilbies when it really matters, and you’ve all been exceptionally generous. Please be part of this historic moment and help protect these little battlers as they return to the wild, where they belong.
This is the right thing for the species and the right time. We wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. Releasing the bilbies is relatively straightforward. Monitoring them and protecting them is the big challenge. Every bilby will need a vet check ahead of release, and then we need to fund a three-year project to track them.
I’ve got all the costs here in front of me. It comes to a total of $150,000. That’s what we need to raise by June 30. Here are a few of the project costs which your donation could be put towards:
This moment has been 26 years in the making. It’s not just a relocation—it’s a bold leap toward the ultimate goal: restoring the bilby to its natural place in the wild.
You’ve stood with us through floods, setbacks, and breakthroughs. You’ve helped build the sanctuary, protect the bilbies, and grow their numbers.
Now, we ask you to stand with us again—to help these animals reclaim what was lost.
Because with the right care and support, these bilbies won’t just survive outside the fence. They’ll flourish. And that future begins today—with you.
Kevin Bradley
CEO
Save the Bilby Fund
P.S. It’s been 26 years in the making, but we finally have a chance to return 150 bilbies to the wild. Please donate to help make sure we can protect our bilby pioneers, monitor their progress, and ensure they don’t just survive in the wild – they thrive.