Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

 

About

The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) is Queensland, Australia’s most endangered species with only an estimated 315 alive. The northern hairy-nosed wombat is one of three species of marsupials known as wombats that are extant Australian species. They are distinguishable from the other species (the common wombat and the southern hairy-nosed wombat) by their pointer ears and broader muzzle. Wombats are heavily built creatures with long claws used for burrowing. Their body averages one meter long and 35cm high. They are covered in dark grey fur with a protruding furry nose as well. These animals have poor eyesight, so their noses are very important for their survival.

Habitat—savanna or grassland

The northern hairy-nosed wombat requires grass and deep sandy soil to burrow in—which are usually in eucalypt woodlands. These animals spend time above and underground. They used to be abundant in New South Wales before the settlement of the Europeans. Now the only populations of northern hairy-nosed wombat are found in the Epping Forest National Park in Central Queensland and Richard Underwood Nature Refuge.

Role in ecosystem

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is a grazer. They feed on grasses and roots in their habitat. They also feed on buffelgrass which was introduced into the area. Buffelgrass is a threat to native grasses and is fire prone—which is especially harmful in Australia’s climate. Buffelgrass is listed as a noxious weed—injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops.

The northern hairy-nosed wombat feeds on grasses and in turn provides food for larger mammals like dingoes.

Cause of decline

·       Drought—northern hairy-nosed wombats are not affected physically but they stop breading during droughts

·       Bushfire—wombats are safe in their burrows from fire, but their only source of food is destroyed if they occur

·       Food competition—kangaroos are wombat’s biggest competitor for grasses but rabbits and livestock grazing is also a threat to them

·       Predators—dingoes

·       Disease—toxoplasmosis (found in cat feces), mange, and fungal infection

·       Loss of habitat—habitat alteration and tree clearing

Why should you care?

Wombats are cute and timid creatures that deserve to have their habitat. Because of humans their numbers were reduced and because of their localized and small population, they are threatened by more things than they should be. Not only do they provide food for scavengers and bigger mammals, but they also clean up invasive grasses that are a nuisance to healthy ecosystems.

Current conservation efforts

·       In 2002, a two-meter-high, predator-proof fence was obstructed encapsulating 12 miles around the Epping Forest National Park. The same was done in 2008 to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge in order to protect the northern hairy-nosed wombats from predators.

·       DNA fingerprint identification of wombat hairs allows research to be conducted without an invasive trapping or radio-tracking program.

·       In 2021 the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) partnered with the Queensland government to help conserve and establish new northern hairy-nosed wombat populations.

·       Recovery plan by the Environmental Protection Agency QLD https://www.awe.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-plans/recovery-plan-northern-hairy-nosed-wombat-lasiorhinus-krefftii-2004-2008

How can geography help?

Researchers already have ways of tracking the northern hairy-nosed wombat. In 2006 they analyzed the demography of a wombat population by placing double sided tape in their burrows to collect hair. Through DNA analysis they were able to figure out the male to female ratio. With DNA fingerprint identification of wombat hairs research is able to be collected in a noninvasive way.

Because those working with northern hairy-nosed wombats do not want to use trapping or radio-tracking ways of monitoring the species, the DNA method is a good substitute. This way the wombats have limited contact with humans and aren’t uncomfortable with physical tracking devices.

I think that utilizing the Geographic Information System would be a great benefit to the conservation of the northern hairy-nosed wombat. Because habitat and food source are important to the species, GIS could be used to map appropriate locations for the northern hairy-nosed wombat—so it can be introduced into more places but away from agricultural and residential sites.

How to help!

·       Donate to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy https://www.australianwildlife.org/eofy2022/

·       Reduce your carbon footprint! Bushfires are a threat to the northern hairy-nosed wombat. Bushfires are due to climate change. 2019 was the hottest and driest year ever recorded in Australia.

o   You can reduce your carbon footprint by: avoid buying products with excessive plastic, bring your own bags when shopping, avoid fast fashion brands, only buy what you truly need, limit consumption of meat—especially beef, switch to green energy, drive your car less.

·       Donate to The Wombat Foundation which has no paid staff https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=8azRUTquYxQ_6ZRTurZRMCTD-FrfUOoQXPG89mkOxsrR2s3ukhGaj0WeqoFoBqn9NfDy3SNEVKMZGXtF

·       Participate in “Hairy-Nosed Day”

o   Every year on May 11^th all schools, and workplaces across Australia wear whiskers in support of the endangered species

·       Do not participate in the animal trade! Even though these animals are soft and look cuddly, they belong in the wild—especially because they are threatened by their low population. All of the northern hairy-nosed wombats are needed in the wild!