May 2024
We’re delighted to share a major victory for the Pookila conservation program. Last month, 28 Pookila, previously called the New Holland Mouse, found their way back home to Bunurong Country at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
Pookila have been in decline since their discovery in Victoria in 1970, and the species was last seen at Cranbourne Gardens in 1976.
These native mice play an important role in our ecosystem. Their burrowing helps rejuvenate the soil, while their role in dispersing seeds and fostering beneficial fungi is invaluable for maintaining biodiversity in the area.
The 28 Pookilas have been specially bred at Moonlit Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo as part of the Victorian Pookila Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction Program. This remarkable endeavour is a testament to the collaborative efforts across various organizations committed to safeguarding this Endangered species.
Following careful matchmaking, the Pookilas born for release are more genetically healthy and diverse than those left in the wild.
The Victorian Pookila Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction Program is a collaboration between Moonlit Sanctuary, Zoos Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Gippsland Water, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and GLaWAC.
