Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii

     
(Queensland Environmental Protection Agency)

Problem:
Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats were extinct at Deniliquin and St George by the late 1800s.  Today there are around 113 left at Epping Forest National Park near Clermont.  The sex ratio is highly biased to males. The population contains only about 35 females, of which only 25 are of breeding age.  The variety of native grasses they feed on has been reduced by Buffel Grass infestations.  They will not accept food hand-outs when conditions are poor.

Background Information:
There are about 113 Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats left alive. This animal is Queensland's most endangered mammal.  Once found south to the Victorian border, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is now found in only one place – 300ha of Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland.

Research:
Clearing has severely reduced suitable Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat habitat.  Competition for food from sheep and cattle has diminished their chances of survival.  The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is overseeing research on wombat ecology, physiology and genetics, reproduction, interactions with predators and competitors, habitat management, supplementary feeding, translocation and captive management.

Solution:
Act on research results to protect and enhance remaining habitat.  Increase the Epping Forest population.  Establish viable populations elsewhere.

The next species is the Mahogany Glider