Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats left on the planet
Australia is home to one of the world’s most endangered mammals
The Wombat Foundation – Saving the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
Help us build a future for wombats and show that it is possible to save the world’s critically endangered species

At one time, there were only 35 Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats left on the planet.
The Wombat Foundation is helping to save these beautiful and elusive wombats, the largest herbivorous burrowing mammals in the world.
Thanks to the support of people like you, there are now over 315 Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats.
But 315 is still an alarmingly small number.
With your help, we can achieve a future where the wombats’ populations grow to a point where they can live sustainably across their former range.
What We Do
Our Vision
We want to see the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats living sustainably across their former range
All of our work is geared towards achieving this.
- We fund research in the field so we can better understand the wombats and conserve them.
- We fund conservation on the ground to give the wombats a fighting chance.
- We inspire people to come together to save the wombats
We’ve seen great progress in recent years but we cannot go it alone.
Your support is vital if we are to bring the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat back from the brink of extinction.
Research
There is much we are yet to learn about the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat so research in the field is vital.
- Research to understand and address threats, including the impact of introduced buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) on the diet and behaviour of the wombats
- The first, comprehensive picture of changes in genetic diversity over the last 120 years including genetic flow between the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat and the closely related Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
- 3D computer modelling of cranial anatomy of the different wombat species to assess whether environmental changes have impacted on anatomy over time and to inform conservation strategies.
Conservation
- Supporting the volunteer caretaker program run by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science
- The innovative ‘hair census’ provides critical information on population dynamics via DNA analysis of wombat hair collected from burrow entrances.
- Funding purchase of equipment and supplies
- GIS mapping of vegetation communities across the wombats’ former range to help guide the search for new sites for the wombats.
Get Involved
Donate
Feel good by donating! Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia. We have no paid staff and our administrative costs are extremely modest.
When I think about a Hairy-nosed Wombat, I smile
Join
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Only $25 per year
Thallon is a small town but we’re proud of our unique connection to the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat