Genetic diversity is critical to any species’ survival.
With it comes the capacity to adapt to new threats, including environmental changes, predators and disease.
So, what genetic diversity does the Greater bilby have?
Although we understand the genetic make-up of the population we have bred and protect in managed sanctuaries, we have literally no idea of the genetic diversity in the remaining wild bilby populations, in Australia.
It was almost impossible to find out.
And the consequences of us NOT knowing could be catastrophic. We currently don't know if bilbies in the wild are breeding, free from disease or genetically diverse enough to survive for future generations. They could even be more at risk than we first thought.
But, now, advances in technology mean that DNA can be extracted from bilby poop. So, we can gather samples from wild bilbies across the country and analyse them.
Only first, we must raise $156,000 by the end of the year. That will help cover the costs of distributing kits to collect 1,350 samples of wild bilby poop, and return it for analysis.
You’ll also help fund lab work that will – poop by poop – build a picture of the genetic diversity of wild bilbies for the first time. We can then compare it with the populations in conservation areas and – if needed – encourage crossbreeding to further increase genetic diversity.
This approach has already been used successfully for at risk species including the Tasmanian devil and the Mountain pygmy possum. Now, with your help, it’s the bilby’s turn.
Finally, an important missing piece of the puzzle to save the bilby is within our reach. This Christmas, please donate to help find it in their poop.
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