The Australian alternative Easter emblem, the bilby, is iconic but at risk.

Bilbies once occupied much of arid and semi-arid Australia but have disappeared from about three quarters of their historic range. Today they are found only in parts of the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland, so researchers undertake surveys of remote habitats as part of the conservation efforts. Surveying can be expensive and challenging, but they have found some success by combining Indigenous knowledge with western survey methods, according to a new study led by Charles Darwin University (CDU) in collaboration with the North Tanami Rangers and Traditional Owners from the community of Lajamanu. The study used two different methods to collect bilby scat for genetic analysis – standardised scientific surveys and tracking techniques based on Indigenous knowledge. The study said the results showed combining the two methods more accurately estimated bilby abundance than using either technique individually, meaning an integrated approach was not just more inclusive, but also more precise.

This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 17 April 2025.