Animals breathing life back into our landscapes
Thirty years ago, a handful of Eastern Barred Bandicoots were found among wrecked cars in a quarry in Hamilton. They were rescued and placed in a predator-proofed sanctuary at Mt Rothwell. In 2004, the sanctuary was acquired by its current owners, who are now the Odonata Foundation.
Today at the Mt Rothwell Sanctuary there are estimated to be about:
- 120 Eastern Quolls
- 250 Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies
- 500 Southern Brown Bandicoots
- 2,000+ Eastern Barred Bandicoots
The sanctuary has the only viable self-sustaining population of Eastern Barred Bandicoots and is on track to save the other species from extinction.
But it's more than that ...
Odonata Foundation's work is revolutionising Australia's capacity to restore working landscapes, for both wildlife and human health and the economy. This is offering fresh hope and a completely new vision for Australia's future.
"There's nothing like endangered animals in a landscape that is coming back to life ... to give all Australians a real chance to think about what a future Australia could look like."
– Doug Humann, chair of Landcare Australia
"It's a journey you're going to love. It's a journey you'll have success with ... letting nature do what nature does."
– Nigel Sharp, founder of Odonata
Make a tax-deductible donation
About Mt Rothwell
Mt Rothwell is the core of the Odonata Sanctuary Network (SEASON), and home to a wealth of threatened species, including Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, Eastern Quolls, Eastern Barred Bandicoots, Bettongs, Long-nosed Potoroos and Bush Stone-curlews.
Saving threatened species from extinction
The Mt Rothwell sanctuary is protecting and enhancing biodiversity and is a vital part of saving threatened species right now.
As Victoria’s second largest feral predator-free ecosystem (behind our Tiverton Farm sanctuary), Mt Rothwell and all our sanctuaries serve as important breeding grounds and outdoor laboratories for Odonata's ground-breaking research.
Odonata is building an integrated network of feral-proof sanctuaries modelled on our successes at our existing sanctuaries. Our current sanctuary network has proven, scientifically verified results, however there are too few and they are limited in their geographic spread.
An expanded network of sanctuaries will provide scale, genetic diversity and threatened species population resilience by supporting a greater range of species and spreading the climatic and financial risks for insurance populations.
The sanctuary also provides emergency evacuation, relief, recovery and temporary homes for animals impacted by bushfire, and is a critical part of Odonata’s mission to save animals from extinction.
Please make a donation
Your support will be used to further our important work. By contributing today, you aren't just saving animals from extinction, you're also creating the opportunity for a more vibrant and resourceful Australia.
Thank you : )
"Having these animals back in our landscape, we don't have to use pesticides, so we can actually eat healthy food and have nature in amongst it."
Annette Rypalski
General Manager, Mt Rothwell Sanctuary
