On the lookout for the Southern Brown Bandicoot near Lucindale

The Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) is a medium-sized, ground dwelling marsupial mammal, which was once common in south-eastern Australia. As a result of the cumulative impacts of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, altered fire regimes, and introduced predators, the species is listed as Endangered nationally. However, the South East of South Australia remains a stronghold for the species, with recent surveys finding that occupancy at survey sites has remained stable over the past decade. The recent surveys repeated the methodology used in surveys in 1998/99 and 2007/08, and focussed on the Nangwarry, Caroline Forest, and Mt Burr Range.

Southern Brown Bandicoot

Back in 1996, a hair sample from a bandicoot was caught in a hair tube on private land (12km south-west of Lucindale) during a bioblitz of the entire South East. Although it is a long shot, we would love to find out if they still exist in the Lucindale area as this small mammal is part of a larger threatened species project and re-discovery of a population in this area could hold a vital link to their recovery in the region. If you live in the area and think you’ve seen diggings or actually observed a Southern Brown Bandicoot between Lucindale and Mt Bruis, please get in touch with us!

Bandicoots make a characteristic digging but it can be differentiated from a rabbit or other animal due to its vertical and conical shape with one spoil heap.

Bandicoot digging under Black Wattle