JULIA CREEK is home to a rare little marsupial, the Julia Creek dunnart, Smithopsis douglasi.

This tiny, bright-eyed creature is a timid nocturnal animal which is considered an endangered species.

Until fairly recently, Julia Creek dunnarts had been found only in localities within a 120km radius of Julia Creek, but over the past few years many more of the marsupials have been discovered in neighbouring shires and other regions.

In 1992, a small number of animals were taken from the wild to study their habits in captivity, and from them a thriving colony was bred at La Trobe University.

Planning is currently under way to house a live dunnart display in the Julia Creek Information Centre.