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Environment
and Resource Management Baby bump brings promise at new wombat colony One of the world's rarest mammals has been spotted with a baby in her pouch at a Nature refuge near St George in southern Queensland. With as few as 138 northern-hairy nosed wombats remaining in the wild across two locations in Queensland, Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones said the discovery of a baby wombat at the Richard Underwood Nature refuge at Yarran Downs was very exciting. "The birth of one of our endangered animals is always good news, but this particular case is especially important," Ms Jones said. "It's a huge vote of confidence in our government's decision to set up a second colony at Richard Underwood Nature refuge, amid concerns for the species' future. "Our rangers are treading very carefully to ensure they don't make mum nervous, which could lead to her leaving her baby before it can fend for itself. "We'll continue to monitor mum and bub using cameras set up at the site. We want to do all we can t o ensure she can carry her baby safely until it's ready to leave mum's pouch and face the world." Ms Jones said the first group of northern hairy-nosed wombats was re-located to the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge in July 2009, amid concerns having only one colony in one location at Epping Forest Park posed huge risk of extinction if a fire or flood was to come through the area. "Following further re-locations from the original colony at Epping Forest National Park, there are now eight females and three males at the second site," Ms Jones said. "The birth of this baby means our hopes that the wombats would mate and the population would start to grow at Yarran Downs are coming true. "The mother is regularly seen interacting with one of the males, but DERM researchers won't know who the father is until the baby is fending for itself and genetic testing can be done." The exact time young wombats spend with their mothers is unknown, but it 's estimated to be about one year. Corporate partner Xstrata has provided $3 million over three years to help DERM set up the new site. Media note: Video footage of the mum with the baby in her pouch is available on request. Media contact: 3239 0818 |
