Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus)

Conservation status

Northern Territory, Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976: Near threatened.

Breeding season

Breeding timing varies substantially across Australia. The pattern below shows the broad period when breeding or dependent young may occur, with regional variation and year-round breeding possible in warmer areas.

Month values are Jan to Dec. Regional breeding timing must be checked against local records, rainfall patterns and survey results before scheduling clearing.

• Breeding, mating and births: Births can occur throughout the year in warmer areas. Breeding is reported mainly from August to April in parts of the wet-dry tropics and from July or August to April in parts of eastern Australia.
• Young in pouch or dependent: Young remain in the pouch for about 55 days, begin weaning at about 55 to 60 days and forage independently after weaning. Timing follows the regionally variable breeding period.
• Nightly movement and dispersal: The species is mobile and forages at night throughout the year. No seasonal migration is described, but males generally range more widely than females.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing can harm the species in any month because breeding may be year-round. Risk is highest where breeding is seasonal from July or August to April and where females have pouch young or recently weaned young.

Identification

The Northern Brown Bandicoot is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling marsupial with a pointed snout and a short tail. It is often detected indirectly because it shelters during the day and forages at night.

The coat is brindled or speckled brown, black and tan above, with a cream to white underside and pale front feet. The animal has a long or elongated snout, small rounded ears, a humped body and a short, bicoloured tail.

Adult males are substantially larger than females. The largest males can weigh about 3 kg, while females generally weigh up to about 1.7 kg.

Male head and body: 30 to 47 cm

Female head and body: 30 to 41 cm

Male weight: 500 to 3,100 g

Female weight: 500 to 1,700 g

Identification: Similar species

The Southern Brown Bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus, is generally smaller and is associated more strongly with dense heath. The Northern Brown Bandicoot is usually larger, with a more strongly brindled brown-black coat.

The Golden Bandicoot, Isoodon auratus, can occur in parts of northern Australia. The Northern Brown Bandicoot is distinguished by its larger size and duller colouration.

Identification: Field signs

The most characteristic foraging sign is a group of small, conical holes made while digging for invertebrates, tubers and fungi. Holes can occur in lawns, soil, leaf litter and other areas with suitable food.

Day nests are made from gathered ground vegetation and leaf litter. A typical nest is about 40 cm long and is hollowed over a shallow groove about 5 to 8 cm deep. Nests may be placed under dense vegetation, debris or in tree trunks.

Bandicoots have several reported vocalisations, including high-pitched bird-like sounds, whuffing, chuffing, whistling squeaks and shrieks. Eyeshine, diagnostic tracks and diagnostic scats are not described in the supplied documents, so these should not be used alone for identification.

• Record repeated conical foraging holes, nest material and the surrounding vegetation condition.
• Inspect dense ground cover, debris and tree bases for a concealed nest before clearing.
• Use remote cameras where possible because the species is nocturnal and can be missed during daytime searches.

Distribution: Australian range

The species has a broad range across northern and eastern Australia, with additional populations in New Guinea. The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate or a quantified national trend.

In Australia, the Northern Brown Bandicoot occurs from the Kimberley region of Western Australia across the Northern Territory and northern Queensland, south along the eastern coast and eastern slopes to the Sydney region of New South Wales.

The documented environments include the wet-dry tropics of the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia, the Queensland Wet Tropics and other coastal and subtropical areas, and coastal New South Wales north of the Hawkesbury River.

Bioregional range described in the documents: Wet-dry tropical, tropical and subtropical coastal regions, eastern slopes, heath, woodland and forest environments.

Additional range: Southern and south-eastern New Guinea.

• Western Australia: Kimberley region.
• Northern Territory: wet-dry tropical areas.
• Queensland: coastal northern and eastern Queensland, including the Wet Tropics and areas around Brisbane.
• New South Wales: coastal areas and eastern slopes, particularly north of the Hawkesbury River.

Distribution: Known concentrations and connectivity

The supplied documents do not identify a complete list of strongholds or discrete subpopulations for the species. They do document occurrence in suburban Brisbane and other disturbed urban areas.

In urban settings, individuals use vegetated corridors between riparian habitat. Corridors less than 15 m wide and at least 17 m long were reported as being used for movement when moderately dense vegetation was present.

Reported urban corridor dimensions: Less than 15 m wide and at least 17 m long.

Population estimate: No national or regional population estimate is provided.

Trend: The documents describe local declines associated with urbanisation, introduced predators, traffic, habitat loss and fire, but do not provide a quantified national trend.

• Treat connected patches of dense vegetation along creek lines as potential movement habitat.
• Do not assume that a small or disturbed patch is unoccupied, because the species can persist in suburban gardens and other modified areas.

Habitat: Habitat types

Northern Brown Bandicoots occupy a broad range of terrestrial habitats, from wet tropical forest to grassland and disturbed urban sites. Dense or tall vegetation is important because it provides concealment from predators and links between feeding and shelter areas.

Recorded habitats include wet tropical and subtropical forest, Eucalyptus woodland, shrubland, heath, grassland, tall grassland and areas with rich alluvial soils. The species also uses disturbed areas, including suburban gardens and previously cleared or burned vegetation.

In the wet-dry tropics, habitat use includes tropical open forest and other areas where ground cover provides shelter. In urban areas, home ranges can include tall vegetation, gardens, riparian strips and moderately dense corridors.

• Retain dense ground cover, tall grasses, shrubs, leaf litter and fallen vegetation where possible.
• Survey both intact vegetation and modified areas adjoining the works footprint.
• Give particular attention to creek-side vegetation and other connected strips between larger habitat patches.

Habitat: Disturbance and site structure

The species is a resilient generalist and can use areas disturbed by forest removal. One source reports use of areas about five years after intense fires, but post-fire loss of shelter can increase exposure to predators.

No elevation limit is provided in the supplied documents. The documented climatic range extends from tropical wet-dry areas to subtropical and temperate parts of eastern Australia.

• Map dense vegetation, open grass, heath, woodland edges, alluvial soils and riparian strips before clearing.
• Retain habitat links between feeding areas and daytime shelter sites.
• Avoid treating recent disturbance as evidence that the site is unsuitable.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding method

The Northern Brown Bandicoot is an omnivore with a strong reliance on soil-dwelling and terrestrial invertebrates. It usually searches for food at night, digging through soil and litter and leaving conical holes.

Food includes insects, spiders, earthworms and other invertebrates, together with tubers, roots, underground fungi, seeds, fruit, leaves and stems. Lizards, birds and eggs have also been reported as occasional foods.

Individuals forage on the soil surface and by digging. Their diet is scattered across many small food patches, which helps explain their mobile and irregular nightly movements.

In residential areas, individuals may also investigate pet food and compost material.

• Search for conical holes in soft soil, lawns, leaf litter, garden beds and the edges of dense vegetation.
• Retain leaf litter, fallen timber, soil cover and native ground vegetation where practicable.
• Manage food waste and compost so that it does not attract bandicoots into active construction areas.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area and movement

Foraging is concentrated in a core area within the broader home range. Males generally have larger home ranges and patrol more widely than females.

Reported urban home ranges averaged 0.015 square kilometres, with a standard deviation of 0.002 square kilometres in one study. Another reported range was 0.01 to 0.06 square kilometres.

Reported urban home range average: 0.015 plus or minus 0.002 km2.

Reported home range range: 0.01 to 0.06 km2.

• Assess the whole connected habitat patch, not only the area where signs are found.
• Maintain movement routes through moderately dense vegetation, especially beside creeks and between shelter patches.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is flexible across the range and can occur after rainfall or throughout the year in warmer areas. Females need secure ground cover and nest sites close to productive foraging habitat.

Females can breed repeatedly, with an average of 4.7 litters per year at intervals of about 50 to 60 days. Breeding timing varies between regions and can respond to rainfall, day length and food availability.

Young are born highly underdeveloped and develop in the pouch. They leave the pouch at about 55 days and begin weaning at about 55 to 60 days. Young then forage independently after weaning.

Breeding season: Year-round in some warmer areas; August to April in parts of the wet-dry tropics; July to March or July to April in parts of eastern Australia.

Litter size: 1 to 7 young, with an average of about 3 to 4.

Gestation: About 12.5 days.

Female maturity: About 3 to 4 months, or approximately 120 days.

Male maturity: About 200 to 220 days.

Pouch period: About 55 days.

Wild lifespan: Usually 2 to 3 years.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Breeding habitat includes dense ground vegetation, leaf litter and other material suitable for a concealed daytime nest. The nest is used by the female and young and is generally close to the female's foraging area.

Loss of cover during clearing can expose females, pouch young and recently weaned young to predators, heat, rain and construction activity.

• Check dense ground cover, leaf litter, debris and tree bases for nests before vegetation removal.
• Stage clearing so that animals can move towards retained vegetation rather than becoming isolated in the work area.
• Avoid disturbing occupied nests and obtain project-specific advice where dependent young are found.

Sheltering habitat: Nest structure

During the day, Northern Brown Bandicoots shelter alone in constructed nests. Shelter sites are concealed by vegetation or debris and may be changed frequently.

A typical nest is a gathered vegetation structure about 40 cm long, hollowed over a shallow depression or groove about 5 to 8 cm deep. Plant material is packed around the sides, with one loose opening used for entry and exit.

Soil may be smeared over the nest during wet periods. Individuals can use at least two nests at the same time and may change nests frequently.

Typical nest length: About 40 cm.

Nest depression depth: About 5 to 8 cm.

Nest occupancy: Usually one bandicoot at a time, although a female may shelter young.

• Inspect ground litter, grass tussocks, dense shrubs, fallen vegetation and debris for flattened or gathered nest material.
• Retain a buffer around suspected nests until occupancy has been assessed.
• Check tree trunks and other enclosed ground-level structures because nests may also occur in tree trunks.

Sheltering habitat: Refuge requirements

Suitable refuges include dense ground cover, tall vegetation, leaf litter, fallen material, tree trunks and moderately dense corridors. These structures reduce visibility to predators and provide cover during daylight.

The species is solitary, so several nests or shelter sites may occur within one connected home range rather than in a communal den.

• Retain patches of dense cover between cleared areas and nearby riparian habitat.
• Do not remove all fallen vegetation and litter from a retained patch during construction.
• Use remote cameras or other non-invasive methods when occupancy of a nest or refuge needs to be confirmed.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main development risks are loss of ground cover, fragmentation of connected habitat, vehicle strike and increased access for introduced predators. The species can persist in modified areas, but disturbance can still remove shelter and interrupt movement.

Land clearing and urban development remove feeding areas, nests and protective ground cover. Fragmentation increases exposure to predators and can isolate animals from riparian habitat and other vegetation patches.

Small urban habitat patches may still support the species. Clearing decisions should therefore be based on field evidence and habitat connectivity, not on the assumption that disturbed vegetation has little value.

• Search all suitable habitat within and beside the clearing footprint, including gardens, grass margins, heath, woodland edges and creek-side vegetation.
• Retain connected vegetation and avoid creating gaps between shelter patches.
• Schedule clearing outside periods when dependent young are most likely, where practicable, while recognising that breeding can occur year-round.

Threats: Roads and machinery

Vehicle collisions are a recorded hazard, particularly because the species is active at night. Construction traffic can also destroy nests and compact or disturb feeding areas.

Road widening and other infrastructure works can reduce movement between habitat patches unless crossings and vegetated links are retained.

• Use reduced night-time vehicle speeds where bandicoot activity or conical holes are recorded.
• Inspect the work area for nests before daily clearing or heavy vehicle access.
• Keep machinery and stockpiles out of retained ground cover and movement corridors.

Threats: Predators and fire

Predators include goannas, dingoes, quolls, snakes and nocturnal raptors. Introduced and domestic cats, foxes and dogs add pressure, especially where clearing removes cover or creates easy access.

The species can use some areas about five years after intense fire, but fire can temporarily remove shelter. Predator control may be especially important after fire when cover is reduced.

• Prevent domestic dogs and cats from entering retained habitat and active work areas.
• Plan post-fire works with the remaining shelter and predator exposure in mind.
• Retain unburnt vegetation and ground cover where safe and practicable.

Threats: Disease and hydrology

The species hosts a range of parasites and microorganisms, including gastrointestinal and blood parasites. The supplied documents do not establish a population-level disease threat for Northern Brown Bandicoots.

The documents do not provide species-specific evidence on hydrology change. Creek-side vegetation and riparian corridors are documented habitat and movement features, so works that remove or isolate this vegetation should be assessed carefully.

• Avoid handling animals unless it is required and authorised, and use established hygiene and animal welfare procedures.
• Protect creek-side vegetation and connected ground cover from unnecessary disturbance.
• Record unusual mortality or sick animals and refer them to the relevant wildlife authority or project ecologist.

Survey methodology: 1. Daytime habitat and sign searches

Survey this nocturnal, solitary bandicoot in suitable ground cover before clearing. Use non-invasive methods first, record both animals and signs, and set effort to match the size and condition of the proposed disturbance area.

Inspect all areas proposed for clearing during daylight before machinery enters. Focus on wet tropical and subtropical forest, woodland, shrubland, heath, grassland, tall vegetation, disturbed areas and suburban vegetation with dense ground cover.

Search for nests, tracks, scats and the small conical holes made during foraging. Nests may be made from ground litter over shallow depressions, in tree trunks, or in dense vegetation and debris.

Map habitat patches, likely movement routes, creek-side vegetation, dense ground cover and all signs with coordinates and photographs.

Activity period: Largely nocturnal

Nest size: About 40 cm long, with a hollowed area over a 5 to 8 cm deep groove

Foraging sign: Conical holes in soil and litter

• Walk the full disturbance footprint and connected retained vegetation where access is safe.
• Record recent fire, grazing, mowing, weed cover, bare ground, standing water and vehicle access conditions.
• Treat repeated conical holes and fresh nests as evidence of recent use, even if no animal is seen.

Survey methodology: 2. Nocturnal searches and spotlighting

Undertake nocturnal searches when bandicoots are active. Search dense ground cover, retained vegetation, creek-side corridors, forest edges, grassland and disturbed areas that connect to shelter.

The supplied documents do not specify a northern brown bandicoot spotlighting effort, transect spacing, search speed or required number of nights. Set these values in the project survey design and document the rationale.

• Record the date, start and finish time, weather, moon or ambient light conditions, observers, route length, search area and visibility.
• Search repeatedly where practical because activity and movement patterns can vary between consecutive nights.
• Avoid chasing animals or entering dense cover in a way that causes unnecessary disturbance.

Survey methodology: 3. Baited camera traps

Use baited camera traps as a non-invasive detection method at likely travel routes, nest areas, conical foraging holes, dense vegetation and creek-side corridors.

The Australian Government guideline excerpt identifies baited camera traps using universal bait as an established technique for Isoodon surveys, but the supplied excerpt does not provide the recommended effort values for northern brown bandicoots.

Urban home range reported in one study: About 0.015 plus or minus 0.002 square kilometres

Other reported home range: 0.01 to 0.06 square kilometres

Documented corridor use: Corridors less than 15 m wide and at least 17 m long in moderately dense vegetation

• Use a consistent camera layout and deployment period across the site, and report the number of cameras, camera nights, spacing, bait type, trigger settings and area covered.
• Place cameras where vegetation provides cover and where animals are likely to pass, rather than in exposed cleared areas.
• Check cameras at an interval that prevents bait deterioration and minimises disturbance.

Survey methodology: 4. Live capture only where justified

Use live trapping only where non-invasive methods cannot answer the survey question and the work has the required approvals, animal ethics controls and suitably authorised personnel.

The supplied guideline material states that established non-invasive methods should be explored before capture. If capture is approved, the material specifies high-sugar bait containing honey or golden syrup for bandicoots, but the excerpt does not provide a northern brown bandicoot trap layout, trap density, trapping nights or checking interval.

• Prepare a written capture protocol covering trap type, placement, shade, weather limits, checking frequency, handling, release and emergency veterinary care.
• Do not handle pouch young unless specifically authorised and trained, because handling can cause pouch young rejection in bandicoots.
• Stop trapping during heat, heavy rain, flooding or other conditions that could compromise animal welfare.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Define the survey area, habitat strata, methods, dates, nights, hours, transect lengths, camera nights, trap nights and weather conditions before fieldwork starts.
• Use the same survey effort in comparable habitat areas and explain any gaps caused by access, weather, safety or land use constraints.
• Submit verified records, including positive and negative survey results where required, to the relevant state or territory wildlife database.
• Retain photographs, coordinates, field sheets, camera files, trapping records, release locations and any incident or mortality records with the project file.
• Report unexpected records, injured animals, deaths, repeated vehicle strikes and any change to the approved clearing footprint to the project environmental officer and the relevant wildlife authority.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Plan the works around the species' shelter, feeding and movement needs. Retain connected vegetation and dense ground cover wherever practicable, because the species shelters on the ground and forages by digging for invertebrates, fungi and plant food.

Redesign the disturbance footprint to retain nests, dense ground cover, woodland, heath, grassland, shrubland, creek-side vegetation and other suitable shelter.

Retain connected vegetation between habitat patches. The species has been recorded using narrow vegetated corridors, including corridors less than 15 m wide and at least 17 m long.

Keep retained vegetation connected to nearby foraging areas and avoid isolating small patches with roads, compounds, stockpiles or fencing.

Avoid clearing during periods when wet weather, fire or other conditions have reduced shelter and increased exposure to predators.

• Keep machinery, lighting, spoil, materials and access tracks outside retained habitat.
• Use existing cleared access routes where practicable.
• Control domestic and feral cats and foxes around the work area through lawful, approved programs, particularly where clearing removes shelter.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the species' current state and territory status for the project location and obtain any required wildlife, clearing, animal ethics, rehabilitation and relocation approvals before work starts.

The supplied listing identifies the species as not listed under the EPBC Act and Near Threatened in the Northern Territory. Recheck the current legal status and any local population or development controls before finalising the approval pathway.

Prepare a fauna management plan that defines survey limits, exclusion zones, fauna handling authority, release sites, stop-work triggers, incident reporting and veterinary arrangements.

• Refer the action under the EPBC Act if the status, impact or project circumstances change and a nationally listed matter may be affected.
• Plan staging so that each area is surveyed, cleared and checked before the next area is opened.
• Schedule noisy or high-risk work outside the main nocturnal activity period where practicable, while retaining enough daylight for controlled pre-clearance inspections.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

Complete a pre-clearance survey shortly before works, because nests and use of ground cover can change between the initial ecological survey and clearing.

Mark no-go areas, retained vegetation, nests, conical foraging holes, creek-side corridors and other habitat features on plans and on the ground.

Install exclusion fencing where it can safely direct animals away from the work area without blocking movement between retained habitat patches.

Identification: Brown-black speckled upper coat, pale to white underside, small rounded ears, elongated snout and short tail

Adult size: About 30 cm to 47 cm body length; males can weigh up to about 3,100 g and females up to about 1,700 g

• Inspect the inside and outside of exclusion fencing each day for trapped or displaced animals.
• Remove or relocate construction materials, spoil piles and waste that could become shelter or create entrapment hazards.
• Brief all operators and spotter catchers on the species' appearance, nocturnal habits, signs, approved handling procedures and stop-work requirements.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher procedure

Use a controlled clearing sequence with a fauna spotter catcher present where required by the approval or fauna management plan. Keep machinery within the approved footprint and stop immediately when a bandicoot or active shelter is found.

Hold a daily pre-start briefing covering the approved work area, exclusion zones, weather, fauna personnel, release sites, access routes and stop-work triggers.

Complete a daily inspection of the work area, exclusion fencing, retained habitat edges, nests, holes, stockpiles, trenches and other entrapment risks before machinery starts.

The fauna spotter catcher must remain able to see the active clearing face and communicate directly with the machine operator. Clear in a staged direction towards retained habitat only where the approved plan allows this.

Use low-impact, progressive clearing that first removes non-habitat vegetation and allows animals to move towards retained cover before larger vegetation or ground features are disturbed.

• Do not allow machinery to work ahead of the spotter catcher or outside the approved footprint.
• Keep open trenches, pits and pipes covered or fitted with escape measures at the end of each shift.
• Inspect any retained nest area, ground depression or dense cover that is close to the clearing face before it is disturbed.
• Suspend work during heavy rain, flooding, extreme heat or poor visibility if the fauna management plan identifies those conditions as unsafe.

During habitat disturbance: Handling and relocation

If a northern brown bandicoot is found, stop the relevant work, keep people and machinery back, and allow the animal to settle before deciding whether intervention is needed.

Only an appropriately trained and authorised fauna handler may capture, handle or relocate the animal. Do not chase it through dense vegetation or handle it unnecessarily.

Release an uninjured animal as soon as practicable into nearby suitable retained habitat that is outside the work area, connected to cover and approved as a release site.

• Use a clean, secure container with shade and ventilation for short-term holding, and minimise handling time.
• Do not handle pouch young unless the authorised wildlife professional directs the action.
• Take an injured animal to the nominated veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer using the project fauna protocol.
• Record the capture location, time, condition, sex if known, handling duration, release or treatment location and the names of the authorised personnel.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and stop-work triggers

Treat active nests, dense ground cover, conical foraging holes, logs, ground debris, tree trunks used as shelter and creek-side vegetation as fauna habitat during clearing.

Northern brown bandicoots are ground-dwelling and do not depend on tree hollows in the way many arboreal mammals do. Do not remove logs, litter or low vegetation near an active nest without inspection and clearance by the fauna spotter catcher.

Stop work when an animal is found, an active nest or occupied shelter is identified, an animal is injured or trapped, fauna exclusion fencing fails, or clearing moves outside the approved footprint.

• Do not fill burrows, depressions or holes until they have been inspected for occupation.
• Do not burn, mulch or bury habitat material containing an animal or active nest.
• Keep wet areas, drainage lines and dense creek-side vegetation protected until the spotter catcher confirms that the work can proceed.
• Escalate repeated sightings, mortality, vehicle strikes or evidence of a breeding female to the environmental officer and relevant authority.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Complete a documented inspection after clearing and keep controls in place while the site remains hazardous. Check whether retained habitat remains connected and whether relocated or nearby animals continue to use it.

Inspect the cleared footprint, retained edges, trenches, pits, stockpiles, mulch piles and exclusion fencing at the end of each clearing stage and before the area is handed to construction crews.

Search for injured or trapped animals, fresh conical holes, nests, carcasses and signs that animals are entering hazardous work areas.

Keep fauna spotter catcher coverage and daily inspections in place until the site is stable, fenced or otherwise made safe under the fauna management plan.

• Close or cover all pits, trenches and pipes that could trap a ground-dwelling animal.
• Remove temporary materials that obstruct movement between retained vegetation patches.
• Repair damaged exclusion fencing promptly and check both sides for trapped animals.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained habitat and approved release areas using repeat sign searches, nocturnal searches or camera traps where required by the approval or fauna management plan.

Compare monitoring results with the pre-clearance record and report changes in activity, mortality, predator activity, vehicle strikes or loss of ground cover.

Submit required records to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and provide survey, handling, relocation, injury, mortality and monitoring data to the regulator or approval holder.

• Record monitoring dates, search hours, camera nights, locations, weather, effort, detections and limitations.
• Report any confirmed impact to the project environmental officer and the relevant wildlife authority within the timeframe in the approval or fauna management plan.
• Review the clearing method before the next stage if animals are repeatedly found in work areas or if relocation is frequent.

After habitat disturbance: Controls and offsets

Maintain retained vegetation, exclusion zones, predator controls, speed controls and safe drainage until construction risks have ended and rehabilitation is established.

Determine whether offsets, compensatory habitat or additional management are required under the project approval, state law or conditions of consent.

• Do not remove retained habitat or release-site vegetation because the initial clearing stage is complete.
• Keep project access and vehicle speeds controlled near known habitat, especially at night when bandicoots are active.
• Close out fauna conditions only after the approval holder has accepted the records and any required rehabilitation or offset actions.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitate foraging and shelter habitat, not just canopy cover. Northern brown bandicoots need connected ground vegetation, litter and soil that support invertebrates, fungi and plant food, with safe access between shelter and feeding areas.

Re-establish locally native ground cover, grasses, shrubs and woodland vegetation suited to the site's original vegetation community and moisture conditions.

Restore dense low vegetation and leaf litter around retained habitat edges, because the species shelters in litter nests and uses dense cover to avoid predators.

Reconnect retained patches with vegetated corridors where practicable, including narrow corridors that provide continuous cover rather than isolated planted points.

Reinstate suitable logs, coarse woody debris, litter and shallow ground depressions where they were removed, after checking that these features are safe and free of weeds.

• Use local provenance plants where required by the rehabilitation specification.
• Keep planted areas free from dense invasive weeds that reduce native ground cover.
• Do not create smooth, exposed open areas between retained vegetation patches unless they are required for a permanent access or safety function.
• Design drainage so that it does not scour nests, remove litter or strand animals in pits and channels.

Rehabilitation actions: Predator, fire and weed management

Control weeds that replace native ground cover and shelter, using methods that do not harm bandicoots or their food resources.

Manage feral and domestic cats and foxes through lawful, approved programs, particularly where rehabilitation areas are small or newly cleared.

Plan fire management with regard to the species' need for shelter and the documented association between habitat disturbance, predator exposure and population decline.

• Keep domestic pets away from rehabilitation areas, especially at night.
• Avoid burning newly rehabilitated ground cover until it is established and the fire plan has been assessed for shelter loss and predator risk.
• Inspect rehabilitation areas after fire, flood, heavy rain and construction maintenance for erosion, exposed soil, weed invasion and loss of cover.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant establishment, ground-cover density, litter retention, weed cover, corridor continuity, conical foraging holes, nests, camera detections and road or construction mortality.

Set site-specific success criteria before works begin, using the pre-clearance condition and approved rehabilitation targets as the baseline.

Continue monitoring for the period required by the approval, and adapt planting, weed control, predator control, fencing or drainage if the targets are not met.

• Use fixed photo points and mapped monitoring locations so that changes can be compared over time.
• Record monitoring effort as dates, observers, search hours, camera nights, areas checked and weather conditions.
• Report rehabilitation outcomes, failures, corrective actions and verified species records to the approval holder and relevant wildlife database.

Sources

• Northern Brown Bandicoot, Australian Museum: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/northern-brown-bandicoot/
• Isoodon macrourus (northern brown bandicoot), animaldiversity.org: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Isoodon_macrourus/
• Bandicoots | Native animals - Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/native-animal-facts/land-mammals/bandicoots
• Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened mammals, Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/survey-guidelines-mammals.pdf