Wombat News

January 2008 - Floods Threaten Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats

Epping Forest National Park, the home of the only population of the endangered Northern hairy-nosed wombat, was isolated by the vast floodwaters that covered much of central Queensland during January.

At the height of the floods EPA staff were concerned that water may be inundating wombat burrows and also that the predator exclusion fence may have been damaged by the floodwaters. This fence surrounds the wombat habitat to provide protection from wild dogs and other predators. EPA staff chartered a helicopter to access the park to check on the wombat burrows and the fence and also to take food and other supplies to caretakers who were at the park during the floods.

The Belyando River normally flows some 10 km to the west of Epping however during the peak of the flood the park was in the middle of a vast inland sea with water from the river flowing through the western boundary.

Most of the wombat burrows lie within a band that generally runs longitudinally through the park. EPA staff were greatly relieved to see that, although a lot of the park was underwater, almost all of this band is slightly higher in elevation and remained above the water level. The entire predator exclusion fence was surveyed from the air and although long sections of the fence were in water up to a metre deep, the fence appeared to be intact with all panels and gates standing.

The helicopter landed on dry ground inside the park. Those burrows which could be accessed by foot were inspected. Although some burrow entrances had collapsed due to the significant rainfall these had already been re-excavated by wombats doing what they do best – DIGGING! There was ample other evidence of recent activity with many foot prints and scratchings along tracks. Road access to the park is still restricted but as soon as practical we will go and make a thorough check on the burrows and fence as the floodwaters recede.

Although the wombats have survived this flood, it highlights the vulnerability this single population species has to cataclysmic events. Planning is underway to establish a second population of Northern hairy-nosed wombats. The establishment of this second population is critical to provide insurance for the species if another natural disaster impacts more severely on the Epping Forest population.

Story by Andrew Dinwoodie QPWS.