Bandicute rescue: Local hero saves orphaned baby bandicoots

WILDLIFE PROTECTION

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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A Douglas Shire local took three pups into care after she found them orphaned. Picture: Margo Boyle

A bunch of baby bandicoots have been all the latest buzz in one of the Douglas Shire Facebook groups as local Margo Boyle took the three pups in care after she found them orphaned.

There’s no doubt about it: bandicoots pass the cute test by a marsupial mile. But they can be easy prey for predators and are commonly hit by cars or attacked by dogs. The question that arises is, how can we safeguard Douglas Shire’s cutest locals?

Far North Queensland, including our Shire, serves as a sanctuary for the Northern Brown and Long-nosed bandicoots. While the former boasts a long pointed snout, rounded ears, and a short, bicoloured tail, the latter sports a greyish-brown colour on its back and a long and pointed muzzle.

Urban encroachment

According to a mammal carer in Cairns who frequently cares for injured bandicoots at her home, the urbanisation of bandicoots has regrettably increased due to human intrusion into their habitat.

“To be more precise, we have totally encroached into their habitat,” the mammal carer said.

“These creatures have incredible digging skills and play a crucial role in soil aeration. As unique marsupial mammals, bandicoots occupy an essential position in our ecosystem and food chain.

“It's regrettable that more people fail to comprehend or value their significance. However, we can take certain measures to protect these creatures, such as keeping our pets, including cats and dogs, contained from dusk to early morning and driving more cautiously at night.”

Caring for the bandies

“Rescued bandicoots are cared for at home, fed and given medication as needed,” the mammal carer continued.

“They are kept warm in a lined pouch on a heat pad in a quiet, dark place. As they grow, they are given more space to move around and a small dirt container for self-feeding and familiarising with digging.

"As volunteers, we pay for everything and invest a lot of time, effort, and money into rearing these bandicoots. When it's time for release, we make every effort to take them away from urban areas, giving them the best possible chance of survival.

“Important to add is that one needs a permit from the department of environment to look after wildlife.”

What to do when you find an injured bandicoot?

Anyone finding a sick, injured or orphaned bandicoot should immediately contact a licensed rehabilitator as the animals have highly specialised needs. The animal's fate often depends on them receiving expert attention as soon as possible.

  • Stress is a major factor in the death of all marsupials. Try to keep at least the head of any injured animal covered with a towel or blanket.
  • If you find an injured bandicoot, contain it. Beware of sharp claws and sharp teeth when handling adult animals. Try to hold the animals by the base of the tale and the scruff of the neck.
  • Wrap the bandicoot in a towel or pillowcase or place it in a carry cage and take it to a vet as soon as possible
  • Check for life, if the animal is dead, check for a pouch. There may be a live joey(s) in there. Bandicoots can have several young at once.
  • If an injured or dead female is found to have young please place her in a pillowcase or towel and take the adult, with the young still in the pouch to your nearest vet or contact your local wildlife group.
  • Do not attempt to give any food or water.

Numbers to call

To report an injured or orphaned bandicoot you can call Port Douglas Wildlife Rescue on 0498708263 or FNQ Wildlife Rescue on 0740534467.

The Douglas Shire also has a medical facility that members of the public can bring injured wildlife to. The facility is called Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre (TARC) and is located at wildlife habitat port Douglas. It is a NFP community service that relies solely on donations for its operations.  

Two baby Short-nosed bandicoots learning to dig. Picture: Mammal carer in Cairns

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