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Chartair undertook the mission of flying bilbies from QLD to the NT, to partake in the national ecological recovery strategy by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Chart Air aircraft flew 34 Bilbies from Currawinya to Newhaven

Bilbies are one of Australia's most critically endangered marsupials, but Queensland ecologists have made a significant effort to save them from extinction.


Thirty-four bilbies have been relocated from Currawinya National Park, near Hungerford, 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane, to a new home in the Northern Territory's Great Sandy Desert with hope for the species' survival.

  • Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

    Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

    Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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    Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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  • Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

    Bilby retrieved from aircraft at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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This is a great project that not only helps ensure the survival of bilbies in Australia but also contributes to a sustainable future for Australia's wildlife. The initiative was a collaborative effort by the Queensland and Northern Territory governments, the Save The Bilby Fund, and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC).


In June 2022, Chartair undertook the mission flying the bilbies more than 2,200 kilometres to Newhaven Reserve, northwest of Alice Springs.  Here the bilbies were released into a 9,450-hectare feral predator-free area to join 32 others that were translocated previously.

  • Releasing one of 34 Bilbies into its new home at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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    Releasing one of 34 Bilbies into its new home at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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  • Bilby absorbs its new surroundings at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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    Bilby absorbs its new surroundings at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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  • Bilby released into its new feral predator-free home at Newhaven

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    Bilby released into its new feral predator-free home at Newhaven

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  • Joe Schofield, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Regional Operations Manager with his wife and two kids

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    Joe Schofield, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Regional Operations Manager with his wife and two kids

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  • Bilby absorbs its new surroundings at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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    Bilby absorbs its new surroundings at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary

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  • Benedict Mosquito, Warlpiri Ranger and Australian Wildlife Conservancy Land Management Officer

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    Benedict Mosquito, Warlpiri Ranger and Australian Wildlife Conservancy Land Management Officer 

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We are excited and honoured to assist in this ecological initiative towards the national recovery strategy in an attempt to have 10,000 bilbies as genetic insurance for the next 100 years.


Discover more wonderful stories of this event on:


Australian Wildlife Conservancy


ABC News


Photo credits: Ian Pulsford/Australian Wildlife Conservancy


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