We are launching an Australia’s Most Endangered campaign across November and December to help fund Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s work with the northern hairy nosed wombat. In 2023 AWC has entered a partnership with the DES to conduct research, including hair surveys, and to assume a management role at the 130ha Richard Underwood Nature Refuge. This involves maintenance of the predator-proof fence, removal of targeted weed species, monitoring camera traps and downloading and collating data, daily tracking of wombats fitted with GPS collars and recording activity levels around burrows. It will also expand on DES programs at the property by undertaking strategic research and management. This includes AWC’s recent collaboration with The Wombat Foundation to map out and better understand the wombat’s burrowing system through the deployment of ground penetrating radar technology. Findings from the study are expected to help inform the design of ‘starter’ burrows for future translocations of the species. AWC also plans to conduct population census and genetic management work at RUNR to develop a genetic management plan for the population.

As part of the collaboration, AWC has been working to acquire additional property with habitat suitable for northern hairy-nosed wombats. It’s not easy to find. The species has very specific soil type and depth requirements – deep sandy loam or sandy clay soils to a depth of at least 2.5m. This allows the wombats to dig their burrows deep enough to stay cool in the hot summer months and warm during cool winters.

Excitingly, in May this year 15 wombats were translocated to 2800ha Powrunna State Forest, also near St George. This third reserve, which isn’t accessible to the public, is a partnership between DES, Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Gunggari Native Title Holders, mining giant Glencore and the Wombat Foundation and it’s hoped that up to 60 wombats will be moved here in time. A huge amount of preparation was needed to prepare Powrunna with the installation of predator-proof fencing, supplementary water sources and digging the starter burrows so the new residents could settle in quickly.

More secure locations will be needed in future to protect the animals from unpredictable threats like bushfire and, ultimately, to see them thrive beyond fenced areas and across their historic range.

Help us to help these experts use all the latest science, technology and years of patient conservation work on the ground to turn around the fortunes of these rare and beautiful mammals.