The red-tailed phascogale is a mouse-sized, squirrel-like carnivorous marsupial that previously flourished throughout Australia but now survives only in the Wheatbelt.

Over-clearing and the introduction of dogs, foxes, cats and rabbits have all contributed to its decline along with many more of Australia’s native species.

In an attempt to preserve the charismatic phascogale and other native animals, Narembeen community members came up with an idea.

Starting more than a year ago, they banded together to create a 430 hectare Wadderin Wildlife Sanctuary, around which they constructed an 11.5km fox-proof fence.

They then eliminated foxes and feral cats from the sanctuary and now have an ambitious plan to reestablish as many as eight native species.

Communications company Exetel provided support for the translocation of 20 red-tailed phascogales from remnant bushland on farms at Wagin to Wadderin Sanctuary during May last year.

Twenty nest boxes were made and donated to the sanctuary by members of the community.

In late January this year, volunteers under the guidance of Wildlife Research and Management director Jeff Short trapped and identified eight of the phascogales which had not only survived, but had produced litters.

Mr Short said the survival and breeding of the phascogales proved the fox-proof fence had worked and boded well for further species to be introduced in future.

“We know at least three quarters of the females survived through until early this year,” he said.

“We’ve made applications to the Department of Environment and Conservation for a whole range of species to go into the sanctuary and it looks likely that at least some of those will go in this year, probably starting with the woylie, which is a type of rat kangaroo.

Later on we hope to reintroduce the brush-tailed possum, mallee-fowl, tamma wallaby and others.