Southern brown bandicoots captured in state forests south of Eden are being relocated to the Booderee National Park near Jervis Bay where the local population has been extinct for many years.
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Forestry Corporation NSW staff in Eden are working in partnership with Parks Australia and Taronga Conservation Society to trap the marsupials, carry out health checks, record vital information and safely release them into the national park.
FCNSW spokeswoman Elizabeth Fowler said successful pest baiting programs in state forests around Eden in recent years had reduced predator numbers and there had been large increases in the populations of several mammals including bandicoots and long-nosed potoroos.
There were now sufficient numbers of both bandicoots and potoroos around Eden to help boost populations elsewhere in the state, including in the Booderee National Park, Ms Fowler said.
The Southern brown bandicoot relocation project - which is being carried out this year for the first time - follows the successful transfer of potoroos from Eden to Booderee National Park since 2014.
Thirteen endangered potoroos – fitted with microchips and radio trackers to monitor their movements and health in their new environment – were relocated in November 2015, on top of 23 the previous year.
Southern brown bandicoots were trapped in an overnight project last week and taken to FCNSW's Wirriga Street, Eden, depot where Taronga veterinary staff administered a light anaesthetic to enable a thorough health examination to be carried out.
Bacteria and virus samples were collected for analysis along with internal and external parasites such as ticks, fleas and lice, and vital statistics such as weight and sex were also recorded.
At least one bandicoot was a female of mating age.
Booderee National Park has been devoid of populations of small land mammals for almost 100 years after they were decimated by foxes and cats.