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Last term, Year 12 Environmental Science students visited Werribee Open Range Zoo and Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre. At the zoo, students learned about the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot and explored the grassy plains ecosystem to which the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (EBB) is endemic. They also investigated key threats facing the EBB and other native species, including habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and environmental change.
At Mount Rothwell, students examined the captive breeding program for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and gained insight into how lessons from earlier conservation efforts have informed and strengthened current practices. This highly successful program has contributed to saving several native species from extinction, including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Bush Stone-curlew, and Spotted-tailed Quoll.
One of the most engaging aspects of the excursion involved participating in fieldwork activities, including trapping and assessing the health and population numbers of the spotted-tailed quoll. It was a long but rewarding day, with students returning to school at approximately midnight.
