In a magnificent moment for conservation, the first northern hairy-nosed wombats have been released to explore their new home at Powrunna State Forest near St George in south-west Queensland.
Northern hairy-nosed wombats are one of the rarest land mammals in the world.
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) is establishing a new population of the critically endangered species at Powrunna, after successfully growing the population at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) near Clermont in Central Queensland and establishing a new population at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, also near St George, in 2009.
The Epping Forest population recently reached a population milestone of 400 northern hairy-nosed wombats, while around 18 wombats currently live at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge.
Up to 60 wombats will be gradually translocated from Epping to the 2800-hectare Powrunna State Forest in the next two-to-three years in an effort to create a self-sustaining population.
“It is always a special day when you can say a species has been brought back from the brink of extinction,” said Minister for the Environment, Leanne Linard.
“It is very exciting to see the first wombats to be translocated from Epping to Powrunna State Forest.
“The translocation program has taken years of meticulous planning by my department, and the wombats have a wonderful new home at Powrunna, which will help future-proof the population of this critically endangered species.
“It is amazing to see how far we have come given the population of wombats at Epping Forest dropped to around 35 in the 1980s, and I’d like to thank everyone who is helping to bring the northern hairy-nosed wombats back from the brink.”
DESI identified Powrunna as the location to establish the new population in 2023 following an analysis of potentially suitable sites.
As wombats dig vast burrows, they require a specific ratio of sand and clay in the soil to support their burrows and ensure they don’t collapse. The environment at Powrunna State Forest has these unique suitable soil characteristics.
The establishment of the third population at Powrunna is the result of a partnership between DESI, Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (GNTAC) and Gunggari Native Title Holders, Glencore and The Wombat Foundation.
“The Wombat Foundation is very proud to be a key partner in the conservation of northern hairy-nosed wombats and in supporting the establishment of a third population of the species at Powrunna,” said Wombat Foundation Director, Leanne Brosnan.
“The great work at Epping Forest National Park has seen the population grow from a small population of 35 animals to around 400 animals which is an amazing achievement and one that TWF is thrilled to have been part of.
“We are very excited to welcome the wombats to their new home at Powrunna and are looking forward to seeing them settle in to their new burrows and flourish at Powrunna.”
In preparation for the arrival of the wombats, DESI has installed predator-proof fencing around the forest, installed water infrastructure and remote cameras and dug starter burrows to ensure the wombats can immediately find cover.
Glencore has provided a long-term financial commitment to the recovery program, including $2.1m towards establishing the third population at Powrunna State Forest.
The Wombat Foundation have provided support for the program since 2004, including provision of the new-design transport boxes.
Fast facts on the northern hairy-nosed wombat:
- Northern hairy-nosed wombats are nocturnal and feed primarily on grass;
- Their burrows maintain reasonably constant temperature and humidity;
- Females give birth to one joey that remains in the pouch for around eight to nine months;
- The northern hairy-nosed wombat is the largest burrowing mammal in the world, and is the largest of the three wombat species.
