A marsupial presumed extinct in NSW has been discovered in the Sturt National Park, north-west of Tibooburra.
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A team from the University of NSW (UNSW) Sydney Wild Deserts project found the carnivorous Crest-tailed Mulgara that weighs about 150 grams and has pale-blonde fur and a thick tail with a distinctive black crest.
UNSW scientist and Wild Deserts ecologist Dr Rebecca West said it was particularly exciting to find a Crest-tailed Mulgara alive for the first time in NSW.
“The Crest-tailed Mulgara was once widely distributed across sandy desert environments in inland Australia, but declined due to the effects of rabbits, cats and foxes,” Dr West said.
The Wild Deserts project aims to return mammal species not seen in their natural habitat for more than 90 years to Sturt National Park.
Rabbits, cats and foxes will be eradicated from two 20-square-kilometre fenced enclosures in the park before before locally-extinct mammals are reintroduced.
Wild Deserts has been contracted by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to restore and promote desert ecosystems in Sturt National Park.
