RESCUING AN EMBLEM

Nothing says an Aussie Easter quite like the bilby, but this symbol of the outback is facing a tough struggle for survival.

- CHRISSIE GOLDRICK

THERE ARE FEW Aussie marsupials as instantly recognisable as the bilby – or more specifically the greater bilby. It’s those ears, of course. But then the bright spark who started the push to replace the pesky introduced European rabbit with the charismatic native bilby as Australia’s Easter chocolate treat of choice may have also had something to do with it.

Despite the proliferation of the confectionary versions, the real bilby is among our most at-risk animals. And it’s the species we’ve chosen to launch our new bi-monthly public fundraising campaign – Australia’s Most Endangered – to highlight our native fauna at the greatest risk of extinction.

To support this new campaign, the Australian Geographic Society will identify conservation organisations working at scale across the nation and partner with those that are deploying the latest science and innovative technologies, calling on First Nations knowledge for help, enjoying strong community engagement, and running highly effective public education programs. Each partner will become the beneficiary of all funds contributed through this program for a period of one year. In this way we hope to create real impact and measurable conservation outcomes for the vital funds that you – our readers and supporters – so generously donate to us. All of these drives will highlight the plight of a new species with every new edition of your AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC magazine.