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Mankarr (Greater Bilby)
“The old people use to eat the animals and we’re working with the KJ [Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa] ranger mob to protect them.”
– Carol Williams
Mankarr (greater bilby) is an omnivorous desert-dwelling mammal found in a range of arid habitats across northwestern and central Australia, including rocky soils, shrublands, woodlands and spinifex regions. Its fur is usually grey or white, and it has a long, sharp nose and long pinkish ears. At the time of European colonisation of Australia, there were two species. The lesser bilby became extinct in the 1950s, and while the greater bilby has survived, it remains a threatened species.
Since European colonisation of Australia, one hundred native Australian animal species have become extinct, with many others at the risk of extinction. As described by Carol, the preservation and conservation of the mangkarr is managed as part of the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa ranger program.