By Tricia Curtis | Wild Futures Team
First of all, a very big thank you to everyone who has supported our Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats appeal so far. Your donations are already making a difference in our fight to save this iconic species.
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is one of three species of wombats – the smallest of the three. They live in complex burrow systems, using them to beat the harsh heat of the day.
According to Conservation Volunteers Australia’s State Manager in South Australia, Tricia Curtis, “What an amazing month of extremes the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats have had at Brookfield Conservation Park. Temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius, bushfires nearby followed closely by flooding! Consequently, we, and the wombats, have been kept on our toes with what Mother Nature has been dealing us.”
This time of year the wombats have been lying low, keeping out of the heat to conserve as much energy as possible. When they do come out from their warrens, they are on the lookout for their favourite foods but unfortunately it is still limited. This is why we have had volunteer teams on the ground managing the competing weeds in areas where wombat burrows are. This provides the best chance for native grasses to recolonise.
From the funds recently donated, volunteers have been able to assist researchers with a vegetation survey and three wombat warren surveys – all of these help us to determine wildlife abundance and the effects of climate change on the region. Supporting these projects through Global Giving means the data collected is managed and processed quickly, providing immediate information that can be used to guide future surveys. This ensures both volunteer and researcher time is used to the maximum benefit, which is extremely rewarding to know we are getting the best value for our wonderful supporters too.
Tricia is thrilled with the response of donors and the efforts of the volunteers who have been involved with this project so far, and is looking forward to the next steps: “We still urgently need your support as we’re hoping to raise enough funds to build our vegetation exclosures through autumn and winter. This will assist researchers with gathering data on grazing pressure from both native and non-native wildlife and will guide us on management of these species to ensure optimum food resources for native wildlife, including the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.”
Thank you again for donating to the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat appeal. Your contribution is directly supporting the management and survival of this unique and much loved animal.
*Cover image courtesy of Rod Brunker
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