Sustainability

Extinction, a prime example of what sustainability shouldn’t be. The Pig-Footed Bandicoot’s population was declining since the 19^th century, however it was last seen in 1926 (Wildscreen, 2013). With the some of the main reasons that lead to its extinction were alterations to its habitat and invasive species (Wildscreen, 2013). This omnivore’s habitat was mostly found in the Australian desert woodlands, shrub lands and grasslands (Northern Territory Government).

The decline of this particular marsupial started when Australia was being colonised by the Europeans (Normile, 2012). When the Europeans colonised Australia they stopped the Indigenous people from the sacred burning in which they burned small grass areas which quickly regenerated, which provided a fresh supply of food for the bandicoots (Normile, 2012).  

As this marsupial is already extinct, as of 1991, under the Australian Conservation Foundation, there is a policy for the protection of arid and semi-arid land species that inhabit these areas today (Wildscreen, 2013). There are many different steps that are being taken to ensure that other bandicoots do not suffer the same fate as the Pig-Footed Bandicoot (Conservation volunteers, 2011). Some of these steps are, the removal of invasive weeds, planting native grasses, maintenance and monitoring of exclusion fencing and also monitoring the numbers of other bandicoots (Conservation volunteers, 2011).

Even though it is too late for the Pig-Footed Bandicoot, Australians are taking major precautions to save the other bandicoots that are found in Australia. With this sustainability can be maintained and can avoid extinction of another species.

References:

Conservation volunteers. (2011). Wild futures - helping to save the eastern barred bandicoot. Retrieved from http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/support-us/wild-futures/eastern-barred-bandicoot

Normile, R. V. (2012). Chaeropus ecaudatus pig-footed bandiccot. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Chaeropus_ecaudatus/

Northern Territory Government. (n.d.). Nature notes - pig-footed bandicoot. Retrieved from http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/nature/mammals/bandicoot.shtml

Wildscreen. (2013). Pig-footed bandicoot (chaeropus ecaudatus). Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/pig-footed-bandicoot/chaeropus-ecaudatus/