Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
Sharp Decline and Hopeful Recovery
Background Information and Historical Context
The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is a critically endangered species endemic to Australia, one of the only three wombat species in the world, and perhaps one of the rarest large mammals on Earth. Habitat loss, drought, and competition with cattle, sheep, and rabbits for food are the greatest contributors to the nosedive in the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat population. Due partly to the relative concentration of the remaining population, the remaining Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats are susceptible to predation, fire, and inbreeding.
Wombat in Natural Habitat
The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is now found only along an ancient water course in Epping Forest National Park where the soil is sandy and dry. Their natural feeding areas include native grasses, scattered eucalypts, and patches of scrub.
Wombat in Burrow
The wombats dwell in networks of large burrows usually located near trees.
Wombat Burrow
The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats can grow to be 35 cm in height and 1 m in length and can weigh up to 35 kg (though female wombats are slightly heavier than males).
The Current Condition
Though the wombat populations used to sprawl throughout Australia, only a single population remains. This solitary colony is under strict protection and can be found in the Epping Forest National Park in Queensland. The current population of Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats consists of only 113 individuals with a mere 30 breeding females. Looking at the map to the right, the *tiny* little green dot that can barely be seen by the naked eye is the current range of this species.
Works Cited:
"Threatened Species & Ecological Communities." Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/northern-hairynosed.html>.