Mange striking one in 10 Tassie wombats

SCIENTISTS have discovered mange is prevalent in about 10 per cent of Tasmania’s wombat population, but the disease is significantly more widespread west of the Tamar River.

Wildlife biologist Michael Driessen said recent monitoring had found a “significant decline” in wombat populations west of the Tamar, but the disease, caused by parasitic mites, did not appear to be causing population decline at a statewide level.

“Generally we’re finding the prevalence of mange is quite low throughout most of the state, in fact in some areas we’re not detecting mange at all,” Dr Driessen said.

“In the Narawntapu area — or West Tamar area — that’s where we get higher prevalence of mange.”

An outbreak of the disease that hit the Narawntapu National Park in 2010 has been slowly wiping out the wombat population.

Monitoring of the Narawntapu area showed mange was ALEXANDRA HUMPHRIES prevalent in 40 per cent of animals in the small population, where fewer than 10 were seen during a recent one-night survey.

Hundreds of wombats have been seen in one-night surveys at other monitoring sites, with little evidence of the disease.

Dr Driessen said scientists did not know why the disease was more prevalent in the west Tamar area, but other studies had linked mange to drought or winter conditions.

Mange-stricken wombats were more likely to forage for food during the day, while healthy wombats tended to come out at night, Dr Driessen said.

University of Tasmania wildlife ecologist Scott Carver said wombats were not becoming extinct because of mange but outbreaks could contribute to declining numbers in areas such as Narawntapu.

Wildlife biologist Rosemary Gales said mange was an animal welfare issue for individual wombats, with affected animals losing their fur, experiencing crusty skin and some developing scabs over their eyes or ears.

Dr Gales said treatments for mange had not been effective at reducing its impact on numbers in Narawntapu National Park and scientists were considering other options that might help the wombat population recover.

Conservation Volunteers Australia has been helping to conduct monitoring.

Regional manager Amy Bailey said Conservation Volunteers Australia had a waiting list of volunteers keen to help monitor the wombats.

“The local people are really passionate about this issue, so it’s great to have them involved in the monitoring,” she said. alexandra.humphries

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