Eastern barred bandicoot. A tiny, shy, critically endangered and relatively unknown Victorian species, this little bandicoot survives only in zoos or behind predator-proof fences – the biggest threats to its survival are feral cats and foxes. With the mainland subspecies already classified as extinct in the wild, Zoos Victoria has been involved in a breeding program since the 1990s, and has bread more than 650 of the little critters. Zoos Victoria is also leading a five-year trial to find out if specially trained Maremma guardian dogs can operate as “bodyguards” to protect the bandicoots. (Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark/The Guardian)
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