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This past week I had the privilege to talk to Cassandra Arkinstall, PhD Candidate and Ecologist. For the past six years, Cassandra has been working in conservation research of Bilbies in Australia. Her passion to help this animal is incredible and the work she does has inspired me while I’ve been working on the bilbies drawing. I am SO excited for you to check out what she has to say about this wonderful animal and learn how you can help.
Q: What made you decide to research and work with Bilbies?
A: “I have always wanted to be involved in conservation research. When I visited the Save the Bilby Fund Experience Centre in Charleville and met the team of dedicated people, I wanted to do whatever I could to support the Fund and bilbies.”
Q: How long have you been researching Bilbies for?
A: “I am now in my 2nd year of research but have been involved in bilby work more broadly since 2014.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Bilbies?
A: “There are so many things I love about bilbies. I guess my favorite thing is their ability to thrive in landscapes that are so harsh. Though they are under threat from feral cats and foxes, which is something that they have not yet adapted to. They have not evolved alongside these predators and so are naive to them which makes them vulnerable to predation, unfortunately.
Plus they burrow 2-3m deep and can dig a burrow in a single night.”
Q: What was your first experience like holding one?
A: “The first time I held a bilby was memorable to say the least. It was a small female getting a routine veterinarian health check. She had just woken up and sat quietly and tucked her head up under my arm.”
Q: Why should people care about this species?
A: “Bilbies play an important role in keeping Australian ecosystems healthy. They are known as ‘ecosystem engineers’ as they play an important role in plant germination and water infiltration into the soil through their diggings and burrows.
Their burrows also provide shelter and habitat for so many other native fauna species, including reptiles, birds, dunnarts, native mice, echidnas and much more!
They are under threat as a result of humans introducing feral predators, and we stand to lose such an important species from our Australian landscape. One that plays such an important role.”
By helping this species, the Save The Bilby Fund and Cassandra are also helping so many other species in Australia. Birds, Reptiles and so many other critters use Bilby’s talent for digging for homes and areas of protection.
Learn even more about bilbies and check out my recent post About the Bilby.
Make sure to follow Cassandra and the Save the Bilby Fund to see how you can help and get a closer look at her work with Bilbies.
And make sure to snag a Bilby print, 50% will go directly to the organization Cassandra works with (Save the Bilby Fund) to help the bilbies!
If you’ve never heard of a Bilby or learned something new from this Q&A with Cassandra, comment below! I’d love to hear from you!
You are the best! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️