Build-a-burrow – how the Powrunna translocation project is saving the northern hairy-nosed wombat
Issued: 9 Jul 8 min read

The northern hairy-nosed wombat was once on the brink of extinction – here’s your behind-the-scenes look at the exciting project helping to recover the species.

When it comes to adorable Australian fauna, few species are as beloved as the northern hairy-nosed wombat (NHW) - but these marsupials are also among the world's most critically endangered mammals. A vital element of supporting the northern hairy-nosed wombats is ensuring populations have the capacity and the right habitat to grow.

Over the years, two additional protected sites have been established to help bolster the last remaining natural population of NHWs at Epping Forest National Park – these are naturally suitable sites that have been fitted out with a few extra features to help get the wombats back on track. One of these two locations is Powrunna, which welcomed some new hairy-nosed residents in May 2024. Want to know how nature and recovery efforts combine for northern hairy-nosed wombat survival? Read on …

How it started

To understand the Powrunna translocation project, knowing about the broader suite of actions for NHW conservation in Queensland is important. It all starts with the Epping Forest National Park, home to most of the world’s northern hairy-nosed wombats. By the early 1980s, the park housed the last remaining population of northern hairy-nosed wombats in Australia, with only ~35 individuals – this was the catalyst for intensive protection, research, and recovery efforts. Fast-forward to today and the population has grown to a much healthier 400 wombats.

The Richard Underwood Nature Refuge, managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, is another critical site for northern hairy-nosed wombat conservation. The refuge protects 130 hectares of eucalypt woodland in southern Queensland – as well as around 20 adorable wombats.

Photo showing a rear-angled view of a northern hairy-nosed wombat digging, flicking up brown dirt

Dig, little buddy! Northern hairy-nosed wombats need a specific soil density to build their deep burrows

What is the Powrunna translocation project?

Powrunna State Forest in southern Queensland is a crucial third site for northern hairy-nosed wombat conservation. It provides an additional secure location for the species, helping to increase their population and improve their long-term survival.

The 2,800-hectare site lies within the historical distribution of the species, and its soil and vegetation type are a suitable match for the wombats. After some intensive on-ground works to help give the wombats their best chance to thrive, Powrunna was ready to receive its adorable new tenants.

Finding a new site

So, what sort of environment do northern hairy-nosed wombats need to make a suitable home for themselves? A lot of it lies in the dirt! These subterranean sweethearts dig quite vast burrows – just under half a metre wide and up to 3.5 metres in depth – often with multiple entrances. The soil composition to keep these large burrows structurally sound is surprisingly specific – it also needs to be to a depth of at least 2.5 to 4 metres. A suitable site also needs to be large enough to support at least 250 wombats. After many years of searching, Powrunna was deemed to have the right stuff to accommodate robust burrows and a healthy population of wombats.

Photo of a large black machine uses a long arm to dig a deep burrow into brown earth surrounded by green vegetation

A helping hand - specialists dig starter burrows for the wombats to move into

On the move – preparing for translocation

It takes a lot of teamwork to get a site prepped for new tenants! The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has worked closely with the Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Gunggari Native Title Holders, and The Wombat Foundation, with substantial funding from Glencore, to make the Powrunna site a safe home for the wombats. Works included installing predator-proof fencing and water points, monitoring and removing feral species, conducting planned burns to prevent destructive wildfires, and digging ‘starter burrows’ to provide sanctuary for newly released NHWs.

The project aims to translocate 60 NHWs by 2025 to establish a healthy starting population. Extensive research and consultation were undertaken to minimise any impact on the Epping population while ensuring the Powrunna population has the best possible genetics and demographics to support healthy population growth.

Photo of a wildlife ranger prepares a black metal cage above a burrow to trap a northern hairy-nosed wombat

Wildlife rangers set traps to capture northern hairy-nosed wombats to be transported from Epping to Powrunna

Catch and release – the step-by-step process

As we all know, moving house can be a difficult task – not to mention a stressful process. Here’s how Queensland's Threatened Species Operations team pulled off the translocation while keeping the wombats safe and as stress-free as possible.

Trapping

Unfortunately, you can’t just tell wombats that it’s time to pack up and go. Activity surveys across Epping were conducted over several months to determine which burrows were being actively used by wombats to improve trapping success.

Cage traps with dirt covering the base were set at the entrance to chosen burrows and water stations. During the night when NHWs are active, they entered the cage trap and pushed a hanging panel at the back of the trap, the trap closed, and staff received a signal that a trap had been activated. Once a wombat is confirmed in the trap, an expert team (including a vet) would ensure the wombat was suitable for translocation – information on sex, weight, reproductive status, and overall health were all considered.

All Powrunna-bound wombats were fitted with GPS transmitters to help monitor their progress after release into their new home. The NHWs also got a fun new feature to help tell them apart on camera – unique haircuts shaved into their fur!

Transporting

Let’s get this show (and the wombats) on the road! When the time came to take the NHWs to their new digs, they were given private transport boxes and driven to Powrunna in air-conditioned vehicles. The journey happened during daylight hours when the wombats normally sleep, with arrival times at Powrunna planned for dusk or early evening – just in time for the wombats to wake up at their new home.

The Wombat Foundation funded fabulous new transport boxes that were custom-made for the translocation, which included the following special features:

  • Light and compact while maintaining strength
  • Made from hard-wearing material that is easier to clean
  • Easier to get NHWs in and out of the box
  • Improved ability to monitor the NHWs during transport

Releasing

Wombats arrived at Powrunna at dusk or early evening, where they were individually released into unoccupied starter burrows. A runway gave the wombats easy access to their burrows from the transportation boxes, helping with a smooth transition.

Photo showing northern hairy-nosed wombat entering a burrow from an aerial angle

Candid camera – a northern hairy-nosed wombat is shown being released into a new burrow at Powrunna. Check out that haircut!

Follow-ups – monitoring the wombats

We want to keep on top of the translocated wombats’ progress, so several forms of continuous monitoring have been put in place. Initial monitoring has been focused on the GPS transmitters of individuals to track how they’re adjusting to their new home. There are also cameras set up around the site and at burrows to keep an eye on wombat activity – and the new residents are easily identifiable thanks to the distinct shaved patterns they’ve been given!

Longer-term monitoring will include genetic surveys to describe demographic information and assess population growth and diversity compared to the population at Epping.

Why is the northern hairy-nosed wombat threatened?

Like most vulnerable species, there are a number of threats to northern hairy-nosed wombats. The main causes of their critically endangered status are:

  • Habitat loss
  • Predation
  • Wildfire
  • Competition for resources
  • Drought
  • Wildfire
  • Small population size

As you can see, these cute little critters have their fair share of challenges – but all hope is not lost. Fortunately, appropriate management, research and recovery initiatives are helping us address all threats in our control.

Photo from a high angle image of one person holding a metal trap that contains a northern hairy-nosed wombat, while another person removes the wombat

Behind the scenes – two threatened species officers remove a wombat from a trap

What’s being done to help with wombat conservation in Queensland?

As well as the special operations we’ve outlined, there is a broader plan for northern hairy-nosed wombat conservation in Queensland.

The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat Recovery Action Plan is a comprehensive strategy addressing the root causes of the species’ endangered status. The plan has four key goals:

  • Keeping established sub-populations (like the ones at Epping and Powrunna) maintained at sustainable levels, as well as making sure genetic diversity is maximised.
  • Creating new wild sub-populations of wombats that can support at least 250 individuals.
  • Undergoing more research to inform wombat management and fill any knowledge gaps.
  • Secure more support and long-term resourcing for northern hairy-nosed wombat conservation and recovery.

The Queensland Government’s monitoring and management page also outlines all the wonderful work that the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is doing in the NHW conservation space. You can learn how the department is addressing threats to the northern hairy-nosed wombat, from weed and predator control to burrow monitoring.

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