A second colony of endangered wombats will be established within weeks following the completion of a new habitat in south west Queensland.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones today officially marked the project’s first major milestone at the Yarran Downs property near St George.
“The land’s secured, renovations are just about finished and the welcome mat will be laid out for the northern hairy-nosed wombat in July,” Ms Jones said.
“This is a world first – nothing like this has ever been attempted. It’s risky but if successful will go a long way towards bringing this remarkable creature back from the brink of extinction.”
Ms Jones praised State Government rangers, Conservation Volunteers Australia, and rural landholders for the major development in a three-year mission to create a second home outside the wombat’s place of origin in central Queensland.
She said a predator proof fence had been completed in readiness for the new arrivals.
“This is a significant step in the recovery of the species,” Ms Jones said.
“The two-and-a-half metre high predator proof fence is up, pests and weeds have been removed, and starter burrows are being built at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, near St George.
“The northern hairy-nosed wombat is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with only about 138 left in the world today – all at Epping Forest National Park, outside Emerald.
“They are more endangered than the Sumatran Tiger, Central Africa’s Mountain Gorilla and China’s Giant Panda and are presently only found in one isolated area about the size of Brisbane’s CBD.
“Epping has been home to the last remaining colony of northern hairy-nosed wombats for more than 100 years.
“They are extremely vulnerable right now. Establishing a second colony means that we are halving the risk of a natural disaster like disease, fire or flood, wiping out the entire species.”
Corporate partner Xstrata has provided $3 million over three years to help the Department of Environment and Resource Management set up the new site, which will soon include ranger accommodation, laboratory, food and water stations, infra-red monitoring equipment and health care.
“The wombat escaped the 2008 floods in central Queensland but it was a timely warning of how real the threat of extinction is to this species,” Ms Jones said.
“Thanks to Xstrata’s $3 million contribution to the project, we have the opportunity to act now.”
Wombats at Epping Forest are currently being selected for the move to St George based on gender, age, weight and maturity. They will be fitted with radio transmitted collars so they can be easily found when it is time for their move to St George.
Work is well underway at the new site on the property of Ed and Gabi Underwood’s property and it is expected to be ready to receive wombats in July.
Xstrata Coal Queensland’s Chief Operating Officer Reinhold Schmidt said he was pleased the company was playing a role in saving an iconic and endangered species.
“We are proud to be part of this innovative project led by a specialist team aiming to give this species a second chance,” Mr Schmidt said.
“The northern hairy-nosed wombat reintroduction project is supported by Xstrata’s Community Partnership Program and is delivering real on-the- ground outcomes for endangered species conservation in Queensland.”
Earlier this year, Ms Jones announced a 20 per cent increase in the wombat population at Epping Forest, another boost to its survival.
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1 July, 2009
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