Conservation groups and the state government have announced an audacious plan to reintroduce up to 10 native mammal species, currently extinct in NSW, into several of the state's national parks.

Populations of bilby, numbat, brush-tailed bettong, western barred bandicoot, stick nest rats, western quolls and the bridled nailtail wallaby will be introduced into several as-yet unnamed parks in western NSW. Some of these species have not been recorded in NSW for over 100 years.

Western barred bandicoots will also be introduced into large fenced areas in NSW. Credit:AWC

The project would involve building large fenced areas that keep out introduced predators – a major threat to native animals – such as cats and foxes. Eventually they also plan to establish populations outside the fenced areas.

The project will be managed by two conservation groups, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the University of NSW-led Wildlife Restoration and Management Partnership, who have been contracted by the state government after a tender process.