Ecologists from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) have celebrated a significant milestone in conservation efforts after capturing rare footage of an endangered baby northern hairy-nosed wombat on a nighttime walk in south-west Queensland.

Since there are only 400 specimens left in the world, every sighting, especially that of a young animal, is important.

The northern hairy-nosed wombat, one of Australia’s most endangered mammals, is found in only three locations: Epping Forest National Park, Powrunna State Forest and Richard Underwood Nature Refuge (RUNR), where this specimen was recently sighted.

“Northern hairy-nosed wombats are so rare that most people have never heard of them. In fact, the total number of these wombats is about one-fifth of all giant pandas alive today,” said Joey Clarke, senior science communicator at the AWC Newsweek.

Andy Howe, senior field ecologist at the AWC, made the discovery while reviewing over 100 hours of footage from RUNR camera traps. The wombat can be seen emerging from an active den – clear evidence that the reserve is once again in breeding season.

“It is very gratifying to know that one of the world’s most endangered animals is thriving and reproducing in the safety of the fenced area,” Howe said in a statement.

According to the footage, the young wombat appeared to be in good health, with smooth fur and no visible injuries. Howe believes this wombat is likely a pup first discovered as a large pouch on another wombat in early 2023.

Wombats are marsupials and, like some other Australian species (such as koalas and kangaroos), their newborns remain safe and protected in their mother’s pouch.

“The wombat is quite robust, which suggests it is eating well and getting enough nutrients,” Howe added. “Overall, this footage tells us a lot about the health of the RUNR population and shows us that the wombats have the right conditions and are comfortable enough to reproduce.”

Motion sensor cameras, funded by a federal grant from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s Saving Native Species program, have played an important role in monitoring these wombats.

“Technologies like these motion sensor cameras have become indispensable tools for us as conservation managers. We can collect so much more useful data, which is invaluable when trying to understand and protect an endangered species,” Clarke said.

The $384,000 grant will also support additional research and conservation efforts, including developing a strategy to suppress fires, control weeds and prevent the invasion of feral herbivores.

Fire protection management is particularly important because, according to a 2020 report, almost half a billion mammals, birds and reptiles are affected by fires.

AWC is also working with the University of Adelaide on a genetic management plan that includes collecting and analyzing wombat hair samples to inform future translocations and increase genetic diversity within the species.

Clarke added: “The northern hairy-nosed wombat has come dangerously close to extinction, with numbers falling to just 35 in the 1980s. For many species, a return from this situation would be impossible.”

“But thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, including controlling feral animals and establishing several new protected areas, their development is now looking much better.

“Australia already has the highest mammal population in the world. It would be a real shame if these amazing wombats became another marsupial that disappeared from the outback.”

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