April 8, 2014
The State Government is searching for a new home for northern hairy-nosed wombats, with locations for a third colony being investigated to help boost populations of the endangered animal — one of the world’s rarest species.
Currently there are some 200 northern hairy-nosed wombats in the world. Most live at Epping Forest National Park near Emerald in Central Queensland,
A second colony of nine animals located at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge near St George in south west Queensland was successfully established through a partnership between mining company Glencore, landowners Ed and Gabrielle Underwood and the Queensland Government.
As part of the investigations for new sites, staff from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection have reviewed satellite imagery and soil, landform and regional ecosystem maps within the wombat’s historic Queensland range, an area which stretched from the NSW border up to Central Queensland.
The scientists are looking for deep sandy soil with some clay, suitable for wombat burrows, and vegetation such as native grasses for food.
Land of all tenures including private and public can be considered for the new habitat as long as it is 400ha or larger.
Any landowners with suitable habitat who wish to assist with the wombat’s plight have been invited to contact the department on (07) 3202-0230 or by email
