Conservation Programs

Conservation Ark has been involved in a long-term study of southern hairy-nosed wombats in the Murraylands examining population dynamics and disease.

The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is one of the largest burrowing animals in the world and is endemic to the arid and semi-arid zones of South Australia and some parts of Western Australia.

Wombat activity in these regions has a long history of conflict with agricultural practices due primarily to the wombat’s large invasive warrens and grazing nature.

Location in wild
Southern Australia

Numbers in wild
Up to 100 000

Threats
Competition for grazing by domestic stock and introduced rabbits; Sarcoptic mange; Drought

Our involvement
Since 1994

Type of involvement
Directing and carrying out research examining population dynamics, assisted reproduction, seasonal breeding patterns, disease and their relationship to climatic variables.

Partners
University of Adelaide, Department for Environment and Heritage, Monash University, University of Melbourne, Ron Dibben

Many populations of wombats are highly fragmented and becoming increasingly isolated, which negatively impacts population viability due to progressive inbreeding, increasing the risk of local extinction.  A long term study of southern hairy-nosed wombats has been occurring in the Murraylands examining population dynamics, assisted reproduction, seasonal breeding patterns, disease and their relationship to climatic variables.

There is an apparent recent increase in wombat numbers in some parts of their range in the Murraylands with increased pressure occurring on agricultural enterprises in this region. An increase in threats to the Murraylands wombat population has also recently emerged in association with the outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Agriculture in the region and sustainability of the species therefore require well-informed decision making.

Data gathered from studies of southern hairy-nosed wombats is also being used to help guide conservation efforts for the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat, Australia's second most endangered species.

There is evidence of damage to agricultural practises caused by wombats. This includes:

• Digging under fence lines and strainer posts, and into road ways
• Erosion caused by collapsing warrens close to rivers, creeks and dams
• Grazing competition with stock and feeding on crops
• Weed infestation on wombat warrens due to newly exposed soil
• Damage to agricultural machinery and lost production
  Farmer surveys indicated an increase in wombat numbers particularly toward the north and westerly regions of their Murraylands distribution and an expansion of the distribution in these areas.

It was determined that an objective regional assessment of wombat distribution patterns was needed. Landsat imagery analysis showed that there exists a core area of high wombat activity, which has remained stable over decades. Whilst the distribution of large warren complexes visible on Landsat satellite imagery (30m pixel size) has remained stable, details of wombat populations can only be detected on imagery with a higher spatial resolution and small warrens associated with a recent expansion are undetectable. High resolution Quickbird satellite imagery (~1m pixel size) used in Google Earth and airphotos allow assessment of warren extent and show a recent increase in wombat activity. Remote sensing is limited to open, sparsely vegetated areas and activity along creeklines is difficult to detect.

There are severe gaps in knowledge of the ecology of the species, particularly in relation to temporal and spatial variation in wombat activity and abundance as it relates to changes in climatic conditions and soil types. Accurate population estimates are therefore difficult to make and the precautionary principle needs to be applied because this species only occurs in this region of the continent.

In areas where wombats impact on agriculture and creek lines, the species' impact is significant and requires management. Culling permits need to be based on wombat abundance, population fluctuations with climatic conditions and the spatially varying importance of habitat preferences for the species. In general, wombat abundance appears to be divided into areas of core, intermediate and peripheral activity and management actions should vary across the Murraylands to reflect this spatial preference of habitat conditions. High levels of protection in core wombat areas grading to low levels of protection in peripheral areas with predominantly recent increases in animal numbers / distribution should be considered.

Conservation Ark have developed "Wombat Muster" to encourage members of the public and corporate bodies to come and get involved in real research, including catching wombats to help measure reproductive status, health and home range movement. This is a fantastic opportunity to see what it is that conservation scientists actually do, have some great fun, and get to cuddle a wombat.

For more information go to our Wombat Muster page.