Rare Images of Extinct Butterfly Bandicoot Uncovered in Museum Archives

A curator at the University of Melbourne's Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology discovered three century-old black and white photos of a previously unknown species of bandicoot, the Nullarbor barred or butterfly bandicoot (Perameles papillon), which was thought to be extinct for nearly 100 years. The photos, taken by anatomist Frederic Wood Jones in the 1920s, depict the animal's distinctive butterfly-shaped patch on its rump and were identified by a mammalogy curator at the Western Australian Museum. The discovery is significant as it provides the only known photos of the extinct species.

A significant discovery has been made by a curator at the University of Melbourne's Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology. Three century-old black and white photos have been found, depicting a previously unknown species of bandicoot, the Nullarbor barred or butterfly bandicoot (Perameles papillon), which was thought to be extinct for nearly a century. The photos, taken by anatomist Frederic Wood Jones in the 1920s, are the only known images of the extinct species.

The photos were identified by a mammalogy curator at the Western Australian Museum, who recognized the distinctive butterfly-shaped patch on the bandicoot's rump. The discovery is significant as it provides valuable insights into the life and behavior of the species, which may have been wiped out by European colonization and introduced predators such as foxes.

The fate of the photographed bandicoots is unclear, but historical records suggest that they were likely part of a breeding program initiated by Professor Jones to preserve the species. However, many of the animals did not survive the journey to Adelaide, and those that did were often aggressive and fought among themselves.

The discovery of the butterfly bandicoot photos is a reminder of the importance of examining museum specimens and the potential for rediscovering extinct species. It also highlights the need for conservation efforts to prevent the loss of biodiversity and the ecosystem services that depend on it.

References:
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-07-27/butterfly-nullarbor-barred-bandicoot-photos-found-100-years/105504626