Woylies Are the Ecosystem Engineers of Australia-Critically Endangered but They’re Making a Comeback

A critically endangered Australian species called ‘Woylies’ are making a comeback after a agency stepped in. Australia is filled with many endangered species and the Woylies are one of them due to intensive hunting by animals such as foxes, cats, etc. In a forest landscape, a conservation program initiated by the department of Biodiversity, has recorded a record number of Woylie sightings. Woylies are a species whose behaviors cascading changes that alter the ecosystem. Beavers and bison do it but Woylies do it by digging for roots and tubers that they eat. Part of the conservation program has involved management of wild foxes and  cats that have been brought to Australia by european settlers and ecosystem disruption. Before, Woylies never needed to evolve their speed or stealth until successful predators came along. All across  Australia, predators have to be managed so they don’t overhunt the local wildlife.