PREVIEW

Ecologists are ecstatic to have captured rare footage of a critically endangered Wombat in Australia.

Members of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) captured the footage of the juvenile Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge (RUNR) in south-west Queensland. With only 400 of the wombats left in the world, each sighting is incredibly valuable.

As one of Australia’s rarest mammals, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is limited to just three populations: one in Epping Forest National Park (Scientific), another recently introduced at Powrunna State Forest, and the RUNR site. These populations are protected by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI), with AWC managing the wombats at RUNR under a historic agreement with DESI and the property owners, signed in 2023.

AWC Senior Field Ecologist Andy Howe was reviewing over 100 hours of motion-sensor footage from the eastern part of the refuge when the young wombat was spotted emerging from an active burrow.

Excited by the find, Andy expressed his delight in seeing evidence of successful breeding in the refuge once again.

“It’s very gratifying to know that one of the world’s most critically endangered animals is doing well and breeding within the safety of the fenced area,” said Andy. “Although this isn’t the first joey born at the refuge, it is the first juvenile spotted for a few years. Knowing the work we at AWC are doing is actively contributing to the recovery of this species really warms the heart.”

Based on the footage, Andy assessed the juvenile as being in good health, with a smooth, consistent coat and no visible signs of injury. While determining the wombat’s exact age is challenging, Andy suspects it might be the same joey observed as a large pouch young at the start of 2023.

“The wombat is quite robust, indicating that it is feeding well and getting enough nutrition,” Andy added. “Overall, this footage tells us a lot about the state of the RUNR population, showing us that the wombats have the right conditions and feel comfortable enough to breed.”

Motion-sensor cameras are strategically placed throughout the refuge to gather data on the species’ activity, behaviour, and reproductive signs. This work is supported by a federal grant from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water’s Saving Native Species program, which has enabled AWC to expand its research and management efforts at RUNR.

The $384,000 grant, spread over the next year and a half, will help AWC achieve outcomes aligned with the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat Recovery Action Plan. This includes developing a fire management strategy to reduce fuel loads, controlling the spread of invasive weeds such as buffel grass, tiger pear, and prickly pear, maintaining the fence line, and improving food resources for the wombat by preventing large feral herbivore incursions. AWC will also collaborate with the University of Adelaide to develop a Genetic Management Plan by collecting and analysing wombat hair from burrow entrances - research that will be crucial for future species translocations.

“Government funding enables AWC and its partners to improve the trajectory of the species by reducing key threats, commencing a genetic management plan, and increasing data knowledge - all of which will support a growing and sustainable population at RUNR and, hopefully, assist with establishing future populations,” Andy explained.