Three tiny Greater Bilby joeys have been given extra special names after Monarto Safari Park’s roarsome volunteers.
Born in October last year, the floppy-eared trio were sexed as one male and a twin male and female pair, born to mums Hallie and GiGi respectively.
Now out of the pouch and exploring the world, Keeper, Simon Dower, said the team wanted to pick the pawfect names.
“The Greater Bilby is such a significant species because they are ‘ecosystem engineers’. The loss of their burrowing and digging habits in the wild has flow-on effects such as a reduction in soil quality and the loss of other species,” he said.
“We thought it would be wonderful to name the new additions after our Mallee Minder volunteers, who give us so much support. It really is the perfect fit, because the Mallee Minders are the ‘ecosystem engineers’ here at Monarto!”
Zoos SA’s Mallee Minders attend to ongoing revegetation and land management needs of Monarto Safari Park and its remnant Mallee scrub.
Long-standing, dedicated volunteers, Clive, Colin and Charmaine, were chosen to each have a joey named in their honour.
“I was blown away and truly honoured when I heard the news, I never thought I’d have an animal named after me let alone a threatened native species like the bilby,” Colin said.
“The keepers were nice enough to introduce me to him and I was able to hold the little fella, it was a privilege and a very special moment.”
Volunteering across Zoos SA since 1987, Clive, said he was both surprised and honoured that he was thought of.
“I got to meet Clive during his health check, a cute little fella he is too,” he said. “It is quite special because Zoos SA has been involved with bilbies for such a long time, so it was great to see the conservation program is still going so well.”
Charmaine said it was very exciting to hear the news.
“I was thrilled that the keepers even thought that I was a worthy person to have an animal named after me.”
Zoos SA has been part of the National Recovery Team for the Greater Bilby for over 25 years. The vulnerable species once inhabited over 70 per cent of the Australian mainland, however populations have been devastated by predators like feral cats and foxes. The bilby was officially classified as extinct in South Australia by the 1930s.
As part of the Greater Bilby National Recovery Team, Zoos SA has been involved in captive breeding, maintenance of the species studbook, supervising research and contributing to recovery efforts.
Our breeding program at Monarto Safari Park has seen over 200 bilbies born with more than 90 released back into the wild as part of vital recovery projects.
We are especially proud of our work in reintroducing Greater Bilbies back to South Australia areas including Thistle Island, Venus Bay, and Roxby Downs after an absence of nearly 70 years.
For more information about the species or to book your tickets to visit Monarto Safari Park, please visit monartosafari.com.au.
