Northern hairy-nosed wombat

Supporting new populations of critically endangered wombats

Only 35 northern hairy-nosed wombats were left in the wild, but concerted efforts by a collaborative team in Queensland is supporting their gradual recovery.

Species overview

The largest and rarest of the wombat species, the northern hairy-nosed wombat is not a show-off by nature, preferring to sleep in its burrow most of the day.

We are still gathering knowledge about the species’ cultural significance for First Nations peoples.

There are three species of wombat in Australia: the bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus), the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) and the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii).

Fossil records indicate northern hairy-nosed wombats were once widespread, living in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. But since European settlement, the species has only been found in 3 locations:

• Epping Forest area in central Queensland
• Moonie River area in southern Queensland
• Deniliquin area in southern New South Wales.

By 1982, the last remaining natural population of only 35 northern hairy-nosed wombats was in the Epping Forest National Park (Scientific).

Although recovery actions have significantly improved the northern hairy-nosed wombat’s numbers, the species still has a high risk of extinction, with 95% of the population existing at one location. To reduce this threat, two additional populations have been established in the species’ former range.

Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, a small population has been established at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge in south-west Queensland.

In 2024, a third population is being established at Powrunna State Forest near St George in south-west Queensland.

Behaviour and ecology

The northern hairy-nosed wombat is the largest herbivorous burrowing mammal in the world. As grazers, grass makes up more than 90% of their diet, and they do not need much water. The higher humidity in their burrows helps to conserve moisture.

Northern hairy-nosed wombats are nocturnal and can sleep up to 18 hours in their burrows. During the cooler winter days, they may emerge to sun themselves and graze during the day.

Although they can weigh up to 40kg, they can move fast—up to 40km per hour—over a short distance. Their home ranges are around 6ha in winter and 3ha in summer. Their burrow systems can have up to 90m of tunnels with multiple entrances. The northern hairy-nosed wombat will mark the entrance and mound near its burrow with dung, splashes of urine and scratches.

This species gives birth to a single joey, which remains in the pouch for 8–9 months. After this, the mother may leave the joey in the burrow while she feeds. The joey remains with the mother until weaning at around 12 months.

Scientists think northern hairy-nosed wombats reach sexual maturity at 2–3 years for males and 3 years for females. They can live to at least 28 years of age.

Characteristics

The northern hairy-nosed wombat has:

• a heavy build with a broad head
• soft greyish fur and faint black eye patches
• a broad nose and pointy ears
• an average weight of 32kg, with females heavier than males
• a length of up to 1m
• short, solid, powerful legs
• strong, long claws.

Threats

• Predators, such as wild dogs, dingoes,
• Reduced genetic diversity
• Large-scale bushfires
• Drought
• Disease
• Invasive plants (weeds)
• Competition for food and water from introduced grazing animals such as sheep, cattle and rabbits (historically)
• Habitat loss (historically).

What’s being done?

• We manage existing and are establishing new northern hairy-nosed wombat populations at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) and Powrunna State Forest.
  The population at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge is managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy).
  Monitoring and management activities include:
• habitat management
• managing threats e.g. wild dog exclusion
• maintaining genetic viability in northern hairy-nosed wombat populations
• researching the wombat’s biology, ecology and behaviour
• maintaining infrastructure and equipment at each location e.g. water points.
• In 1971, we bought the site of the last wild population of northern hairy-nosed wombats and gazetted it as Epping Forest National Park (Scientific). The area was 2,750ha of open eucalypt woodland and brigalow communities over several properties in central Queensland.
• Since 2001, thanks to concerted management, protection and recovery efforts, including a 20km fence excluding wild dogs and dingoes, the number of northern hairy-nosed wombats has been steadily increasing. The last census, in 2022, estimated the population was 400 wombats.
• In 2009, we established a second colony of northern hairy-nosed wombats at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge at Yarran Downs in south-west Queensland near St George. This nature refuge was gazetted in 2008 and protects about 130 hectares of eucalypt woodland on old riverbanks. During 2009–2010, we translocated 15 wombats to the nature refuge. The population is now 18 wombats.
• In 2024, we began to establish a third population, translocating 15 wombats from the Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) to the Powrunna State Forest.

Who is helping?

• Glencore

In 2009, Glencore sponsored the establishment of the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, supporting the second population. The company continues to provide significant funding as part of the partnership establishing the third population at the Powrunna State Forest.

• The Wombat Foundation
  Since 2004, the foundation has supported northern hairy-nosed wombat research and recovery efforts, including being part of the partnership establishing the third population and providing transport boxes for this translocation project.
• Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (GNTAC)
  GNTAC and Gunggari Native Title Holders are part of the partnership establishing the third population at the Powrunna State Forest.
• Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)

In 2023, the AWC assumed management of the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, the location of the state’s second northern hairy-nosed wombat colony. The refuge protects 130ha of remnant eucalypt woodland.

How you can help

• Get involved in a citizen science project and report wombat sightings.
• Make a donation to support Queensland threatened species protection and science and research-based initiatives.
• Find out more about how you can help support threatened species efforts.

More information:

• Northern hairy-nosed wombat recovery project
• Northern hairy-nosed wombat recovery plan
• Species profile (Qld, Wildnet)
• Northern hairy-nosed wombat project