Music against wildlife extinction

It’s that time of year again, when music and animal lovers come together at the Melbourne Zoo to unite against wildlife extinction.

Zoo Twilights is an annual season of music amongst the beautiful sights and sounds of the Zoo, and the 2018 program is better than ever. This Summer, all proceeds will go toward saving the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from extinction.

The program was announced last week, with highlights including Cut Copy, The Preatures, Hiatus Kaiyote and Jet.

Ticket sales begin today for performances throughout January and February 2018. Shows have sold out in previous years, so make sure you secure your ticket to support this important cause.

The mission to bring the Eastern Barred Bandicoot back from extinction

The mainland subspecies of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot is already, sadly, classified as extinct in the wild. Zoos Victoria, however, is on an ambitious mission to take them off the extinction list. All proceeds from the Zoo Twilights concerts will go toward this massive project.

More than 25 years ago, Zoos Victoria began a captive breeding program with the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. In the years since then, they have successfully bred over 650 animals through the program.

Funds will be used to work with a range of community partners largely in Victoria to further develop a complex breeding and re-population program to bring the species back from extinction.

Part of this program will include a trial to find out if Maremma Guardian Dogs can be trained to act as ‘bodyguards’ to protect the Eastern Barred Bandicoots. Eight dogs are already in training, preparing for duty in special trial sights.

You can check out the program and find out more about the Zoos Victoria’s wildlife conservation programs on their website.