Background
The Easter Bunny is retiring after decades of delivering goodies to Australian children. His chosen successor is an Australian native animal: the bilby.
Why an Easter Bilby?
The Easter Bunny has been an important part of Easter celebrations all over the world, but Australians have often questioned its suitability for our nation. In Australia feral rabbits are a major environmental problem and in most states it is illegal to own a rabbit.
The bilby (or rabbit-eared bandicoot) was once common throughout southern Australia. They are now endangered and only found in a few isolated pockets of central Australia - where rabbits have not reached yet.
As you know, the bilby is in serious trouble. It’s hard to believe there are only around 600 of these Australian marsupials left in the wild.
The message is simple - if we do not reduce rabbit numbers, we will lose many native plants and animals. The bilby is a mascot for the campaign.
Do you think we should replace the Easter Bunny with the Easter Bilby?
Task
Prepare an argument that supports one side of this debate.
To do this you need to gather as much data as you can on the bilby. Use an "Inspiration" sheet to organise this information. These site will help you.
Next find out about the rabbit and what it has done to our environment and the impact it has had on our native plants and animals. These sites will help.
Now write an exposition (argument) to persuade people that the bilby should or should not replace the Easter bunny.
