Mammals

Wombats are adapted to hot, dry climates by minimizing the amount of time spent above ground. The species is predominantly nocturnal, spending the day in a burrow and coming out at night to feed on various species of grass. It has a very low water requirement, and obtains most of the water it needs from its food. Wombats build large complex tunnel systems consisting of a number of multi-entrance burrows which are used by groups of 4-5 individuals. The burrows are collectively known as a warren and the entrances are connected above ground by a network of trails. Despite this, the animals are generally solitary. Individuals rarely share their burrows and each wombat possesses its own feeding area.

Females give birth to a single young, usually during the wet season (November to March). The young wombat stays in its mother’s pouch for 8-9 months, follows her closely for another 3-6 months, and is probably fully independent by about 18 months of age. The inter-birth period is usually 1-2 years, but females give birth less often during periods of drought. The species is long-lived for its size, with wild adults reaching ages of 23 years or more.

Preferred habitats are flat semi-arid grasslands and open acacia or eucalypt woodlands. Deep sandy soil is required for digging burrows.

There are an estimated 115 individuals remaining in a single colony.

Population size fell to around 35 individuals in the early 1980s. Since then numbers have been slowly recovering as a result of conservation efforts. The population has been dominated by males, but the latest census in 2005 showed that female numbers were recovering with 62 males and 53 females recorded. Only about 35 females are of breeding age.

The rarest Australian marsupial, the species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c, D) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

A combination of habitat loss, drought and competition with introduced grazing animals accelerated the species’ decline following European settlement. The species has also suffered considerable losses as a result of predation by dingoes, another introduced mammal. While most of these problems have now been addressed, the survival of the species is still uncertain. The greatest current threat is the fact that the wombats live in only one small population. This means that they are very vulnerable to natural events such as fire, drought, predators, disease or flooding, and inbreeding and consequent loss of genetic variation.

The species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. Epping Forest National Park was established in 1971 to protect the population, and numbers began to rise once cattle were excluded from the area in 1982. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has been running a major recovery plan since 1993, which involves conservation-orientated research and management programmes for the species. The wombats are currently protected from predators and competition with other grazing animals by a dingo-proof fence, and park wardens are working hard to improve habitat quality, provide supplementary feed and water, and protect the animals from natural disasters. Numbers are increasing as a result, but only very slowly. One of the aims of the recovery plan is the establishment of a second wild population within the species’ historical range. Research into captive breeding, translocation techniques and a search for potential habitats in which to establish this new population are currently underway.

The long-term aim of the recovery plan is to establish a network of populations throughout the historic range of the species. Over the next 15 years, it is envisaged that four separate colonies will be established in suitable habitat in Queensland. The reintroduction of wombats to a new site is a specific objective of the 2004-2008 recovery plan.

A successful trial translocation was conducted in 2006 within the dingo-proof fence at Epping Forest National Park. This trial has helped the development of techniques needed to establish a second wombat population.

After years of research, a suitable site, with the right soils, vegetation and landscape to support the wombat population, has been found near St George in southern Queensland. Using knowledge gained from the management of the Epping Forest National Park population and the trial move, the new release site will be suitably prepared before the wombats arrive at the new colony. Actions include installation of a predator-proof fence, supplementary feed and water stations and wombat monitoring equipment, management of competitors, fire management and weed control, and the preparation of wombat starter burrows. The reintroduction is planned to occur in the winter of 2009.

Other research has focused on increasing the population of wombats. Following an unsuccessful attempt to establish a captive breeding programme in 1996, researchers are now focusing on developing a captive breeding programme for the less endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat. It is hoped that the techniques developed here can be applied to the captive breeding of the northern species. Another project aims to develop techniques by which captive southern hairy-nosed wombats can be used as foster mothers for northern hairy-nosed wombat young. After rearing, the young could be released back into the wild population(s).

The Wombat Foundation
Established in 2004, the Wombat Foundation aims to assist in the recovery and preservation of the northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, through promoting conservation-focussed research and raising awareness of the species.

Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA aims to promote sustainable use of its natural capital and ensure a clean environment. Key functions of the organisation are environmental planning, environmental policy, management of parks, forestry and wildlife, environmental operations, sustainable industries, environmental and technical services, corporate affairs, and corporate development.

Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group. 1996. Lasiorhinus krefftii. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 19 July 2006.

Horsup, A. 2004. Recovery plan for the northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii. 2004-2008. Report to the Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.

Kennedy, M. 1992. Australasian Marsupials and Monotremes: An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

MacDonald, D. (ed.). 2002. The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A. A., Morris, K. and the IUCN/SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group (eds.). 1996. The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. Wildlife Australia, Endangered Species Programme.

Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walkers Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.

Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.