Australian confectionery brand Darrell Lea has raised more than $173k for the Save the Bilby Fund from sales of its special release Darrell Lea Bilby.

Reviving the partnership to support Save the Bilby Fund’s vital conservation efforts and research, for each Bilby sold Darrell Lea donated 20c to the not-for-profit organisation.

Over Easter, Aussies purchased almost one million of the Darrell Lea Bilby, with the funds raised going towards supporting Save the Bilby Fund’s National Breeding Program and Facility, working with the National Recovery team.

The money raised will help Save the Bilby Fund’s mission to house an extinction insurance population of 10,000 bilbies in Australia by 2030. It will also support the great work they do, including maintaining the tourist attractions at The Charleville Bilby Experience and its Sanctuary at Currawinya National Park in Queensland.

Bilbies are a significant species to Australia, with Bilby ancestors found as fossilised remains dating back 15 million years. They have been an intrinsic part of the landscape across 70 per cent of the Australian mainland for all that time.

Bilbies are now only found in small areas in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South West Queensland. Until recently, Australia had two species of bilbies the Greater Bilby and the Lesser Bilby. The Lesser Bilby is already believed to be extinct. The Greater Bilby is the largest member of the bandicoot family.

Johanna Campbell, Marketing Director, Darrell Lea, said that as an Australian business it is important for Darrell Lea to get behind such an important Aussie cause.

“Darrell Lea is a natural part of every Easter for Australians and has been for many years. As a proudly Australian company, we wanted to reignite the meaningful partnership between Darrell Lea and Save The Bilby Fund.

“When Australians were enjoying their Easter treats from Darrell Lea, they were also feeling good about giving back to an important Australian conservation cause.

“We want to thank the hundreds of thousands of Australians who chose, not only our much-loved, locally produced chocolate Bilby but to support this vital research and conservation effort too.”

Kevin Bradley, CEO at Save the Bilby Fund said it’s been wonderful working with Darrell Lea again as a major fund-raising partner for Save The Bilby Fund and bringing back a partnership that started in 1999.

“The funds raised from the chocolate Bilby will enable us to continue the important bilby conservation work that we are doing and fulfil our mission. We’re so thrilled by the response from Australians, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on our Australian wildlife.”

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Image credit: Darrell Lea and Save the Bilby Fund