Meet the Australian bilby! These long-eared marsupials are one of the cutest species in the country, and they’re vitally important to arid ecosystems where they’re diggings help to trap resources, turn over soil, and even provide refuge for other species. They’re so important that they’re called “ecosystem engineers”.

Arid Recovery is on the country of the Kokatha people. Kokatha country extends north of Port Augusta, bounded by Lake Torrens to the east and the Gawler Ranges to the west. We recognise the enduring relationship they have with their country and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

2018 was a big year. After two years of trials and research, it was time to officially reintroduce Western Quolls to the Arid Recovery Reserve. In May, it happened. 12 quolls made the journey back to the outback, eight females and four males.

What if I told you there was an animal like no other? An animal the size of your hand that pronks like a gazelle, has a tail that’s half antenna/half paintbrush, smells like a mop and has a wet button nose the colour of a rose?

Don’t worry, it’s not extinct, but a new study by the WA Museum says that the Western Barred Bandicoot isn’t who we thought it was. This new study looked at the morphometrics and genetics of museum specimens and concluded that what has been known as the “Western Barred Bandicoot” is in fact five different species.