Northern Bettong

© Wayne Lawler/AWC

Quick Facts

  • OFFICIAL NAME: Bettongia tropica
  • FAMILY: Potoroidae (Potoroos and Bettongs)
  • NATIONAL CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered
  • STATE CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered in QLD
  • SURVIVING POPULATION: Estimated 1200-2500
What Is Awc Doing Northern Bettong Awc © AWC

What is AWC doing?

In May 2023, AWC translocated 49 Northern Bettongs to a feral predator-free fenced area at Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary (Gugu Badhun country). The safe haven was established in the hope of staving off extinction of the bettong which has been identified as one of 20 Australian mammals at greatest risk of extinction.

Mount Zero-Taravale was purchased between 2002-03, in part to conserve habitat of the Northern Bettong population in the Coane Range. Following the purchase, AWC restored a conservation-oriented fire regime with the aim of limiting the ‘capture’ of wet sclerophyll forest by rainforest plants, allocasuarina saplings and lantana. AWC also implemented the broadscale restoration of wet sclerophyll forests, thinning the dense understorey over extensive areas to promote the growth of a grassy understorey. This work has been conducted in part by the Girringun Rangers.

Threats To Wildlife Awc Northern Bettong © AWC

Threats to the Northern Bettong

Feral cats have caused declines of bettong species throughout Australia. Feral cats occur throughout the northern bettong’s range and it’s likely they are negatively impacting on the population. Feral and stray herbivores (such as cattle, horses and pigs) also likely affect northern bettongs, competing for food resources and reducing shelter.

Northern bettongs are also threatened by inappropriate fire reqimes. A reduction of fire in eucalypt forests across the Wet Tropics has resulted in the ‘capture’ of extensive areas of these forests by rainforest plants, dense regrowth of allocasaurina saplings and the weed lantana. The resulting dense regrowth shades out the grassy understorey relied upon by the northern bettong for food and shelter.

The small size of the remaining populations of northern bettong mean they are especially susceptible to extinction, and the isolation of remaining populations means that natural recolonisation of suitable habitat is unlikely.

Endangered

Description

The Northern Bettong is a small, grey, lightly-built macropod with a black crest on the end of its tail. It holds its front paws closely to its chest, and moves with a low, distinctive springy hop. It grows to just over 30 cm with a tail to 34 cm and an average weight of 1.2 kg.

Ecology

The Northern Bettong specialises on the underground fruiting bodies of ectomycorrhizal fungi (truffles) for the majority of the year. During the driest months, its diet switches to the fleshy tubers of cockatoo grass and lilies; herbs, invertebrates, fruits and seeds make up minor components of its diet. The northern bettong is a keystone species, responsible for the dispersal of a huge number of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi. These fungi play an essential role in forest health, forming a symbiotic relationship with the roots of eucalyptus and allocasuarina trees.

Range and Abundance

The Northern Bettong is restricted to a narrow band of sclerophyll forests on the margins of rainforest in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland. Once widespread, they are rapidly declining. Ten years ago, there were four known populations: Mt Windsor, south-west of Cooktown; Mt Spurgeon, near Brooklyn; Lamb Range, south-west of Cairns, and the Coane Range (Mount Zero-Taravale), north-west of Townsville. Today, only two populations persist (Mt. Spurgeon and Lamb Range). The major extant population occurs on the Lamb Range and may number up to 2500 individuals; the population at Mt. Spurgeon is tiny, estimated to be less than 100 individuals.

In May 2023, AWC established a much-needed third population at Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary (Gugu Badhum country) inside northern Australia’s first large, feral predator-free safe haven. Forty-nine individuals were translocated to the 950 hectares fenced area where the population could safely grow to an estimated 500 individuals over the next four to five years. The translocation was conducted in close collaboration with Traditional Owners and members of the Northern Bettong Recovery Team

Sanctuaries Where You Can Find the Northern Bettong

© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Queensland

Mount Zero-Taravale

The Mount Zero-Taravale Sanctuary (Gugu Badhun country) covers a large area of spectacular landscape adjacent to the Wet Tropics World...

Other Wildlife You May Be Interested In

© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Mammals

Greater Bilby

The Bilby is an iconic Australian marsupial, instantly recognisable by its long pointed snout, long ears, soft grey fur and...

© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Mammals

Numbat

The Numbat is unique among Australian mammals. It is a highly specialised, termite eating marsupial. AWC protects Numbat populations within...

© Brad Leue/AWC
Mammals

Banded Hare-wallaby

The Banded Hare-wallaby is the sole survivor of an ancient group of kangaroos which included the giant short-faced kangaroos.

Subscribe to receive our latest news from the field

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Latest News from the Field

Wayne Lawler/AWC
News from the Field Press Release 19 Mar. 2024

Bilby bonanza brings on burrowing blitz

J Schofield/AWC