Burrowing from extinction
AS A species coming back from the brink, the northern hairy-nosed wombat is in need of a new home, and it turns out farmers might be the key to their survival.
The northern hairy-nosed wombat is on the critically endangered list. There were only 35 wombat’s left in this species in the mid-1980s, all found in the Epping Forest region.
But with the help of some careful conservation work from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the Wombat Foundation, that number has risen to 250.
The northern hairy-nosed wombat was translocated to Richard Underwood Nature Refuge near St George in 2009, and they are now looking for a new third location for the wombats to call home.
Leanne Brosnan, a director at the Wombat Foundation, said they are hoping to find a new suitable location for the wombats in the next 12 months.
“It’s been almost 10 years since the translocation of the wombats to Richard Underwood Nature Refuge,” she said.
“We expect the wombats in Epping Forest National Park to reach their breeding capacity by 2025.
“They will run out of burrowing habitat.”
Having only two protected locations that are home to the northern hairy nosed wombat’s poses great risk. The potential for fire, flood, and disease could mean all progress is lost.
The Wombat Foundation are looking for landholders who are willing to donate at least 1000 hectares of land within the wombat’s former range.
Land will be suitable for burrowing and foraging. Generally, soil will be dominantly sand, but also contain silt and clay. the presence of Bloodwood, Moreton Bay Ash, and Angophora tree species can indicate this deeper, sandy soil.
“We have had some landholders come forward but we’re looking for more to come forward as that means a greater chance of finding the perfect site,” Ms Brosnan said.
“Because the department has been successful in bringing them back from the brink, hopefully this third site will be the key to getting them off the critically endangered list.
“Giving them room to grow will be the best way to get them off that list.”
Ms Brosnan said translocating the wombat’s is quite a complicated process.
“The department will have to do a number of soil and vegetation samples. They will have to see if there is burrowing habitat and any flood risk. They need to find that deep sandy soil. Three metres deep is ideal for the wombats to burrow,” she said.
“Then when they do find the site they will need put up predator fencing as they did at the other two sites.
“Then they have to get the wombats there and set up starter burrows for them.
“They use a post hole digger to dig the starter burrows.
“It’s a long process which is why we need to start looking for locations now.”
For more information or to register your interest in possibly sharing your land with the hairy-nosed wombat, visit: www.wombatfoundation. com.au.