Eastern Bettongs have been practically extinct on mainland Australia for more than a century.
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But on Tuesday, Radford College students got the chance to see these small kangaroo-like marsupials firsthand, as part of the the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust's new Bettong Buddies program.
Through the program, hand-raised Bettongs are taken into classrooms where experts educate students about biodiversity and conservation.
Year 6 student, Honour Davis, took part in its launch.
The animal-lover was very excited to see the Bettong and was passionate about protecting the the endangered species.
"They are really good for our environment and there's not many left in the wild," she said.
The ACT government allocated $900,000 in its budget to allow 30 Eastern Bettongs to be reintroduced from Tasmania to Mulligans Flat and Tidbinbilla nature reserves in 2012. The predator-proof spaces have since helped the population climb to more than 200 - an impressive result considering only 40 per cent of similar reintroductions are successful.
Mulligans Flat remains the only place outside Tasmania where the Bettong can be found in its natural habitat. They were common in the region until foxes were introduced.
General Manager of Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, Dr Jason Cummings, said the rare creatures are important "ecosystem engineers" because they dig soil, turn over nutrients and let seeds get captured in the soil for plants to germinate.
"We are trying to raise awareness with the students as to why biodiversity matters," he said.
"And secondly, if they've got a cat [which are the Bettong's main predators], they can keep it locked it up at home."
"But really we're inspiring them to care about the environment for the rest of their lives."
Radford College principal, Fiona Godfrey, said the interactive learning was extremely beneficial for the students.
"They can see how beautiful they are," she said.
"And that real connection between the actual animal and themselves gives them a better understanding of how important it is to preserve our native flora and fauna."
ACT Schools interested in the Bettong Buddies program can contact the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust at woodlandsandwetlands.org.au/contact.