The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is Queensland’s most endangered marsupial with a population of approximately 200 known individuals. By studying the closely related Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, AACE contributes to gathering fundamental biological knowledge to aid in developing advanced breeding technologies that can be used to establish self-sustaining captive populations of both species.
In 2009 a captive breeding and research centre for Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats was established by AACE in partnership with the University of Queensland. This centre provides healthy animals for captive management and breeding to contribute to the recovery of the critically endangered Northern Hairy-nosed wombat.
Research to be carried out:
• Reproduction and genetics of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
• Breeding the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat as a model for the Northern cousin.
• Heat stress physiology of free-range and captive wombats • Behavioral ecology of wild wombats
• Vocal and auditory communication
• Fundamental anatomy and physiology of wombats
• Artifcial insemination of the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat