Scientists Decode Bilby Genomes to Aid Conservation Efforts

Genetic research on the greater and extinct lesser bilby provides insights for preserving the species and integrating Indigenous knowledge.

The genomes of both the greater bilby and the extinct lesser bilby have been sequenced for the first time.
Researchers used DNA from a zoo animal and a specimen collected in 1898 to complete the genome mapping.
The genetic data will help manage bilby populations in zoos, sanctuaries, and the wild.
Indigenous rangers are combining traditional knowledge with new genetic tools to monitor and protect bilbies.
The research highlights the bilby's unique biology, including its sense of smell and adaptation to arid environments.