Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Northern hairy-nosed wombat: Back from the brink
The northern hairy-nosed wombat is one of three surviving species of Australian marsupials known as wombats. It is one of the rarest land mammals in the world and is critically endangered. The wombats weigh about 32 kilograms and grow up to one meter long. They eat mainly grass, dig extensive burrow systems with their rodent-like front teeth and powerful claws, and spend most of their time there alone. When their natural habitats were converted to farmland, their population started to decline, and by the 1980s, their population had reduced to no more than 35 individuals. Since northern hairy-nosed wombats do not eat anything that is provided in a captive environment, the only way to save this critically endangered species is to conserve their natural living environment. After fences were erected to protect their habitat, the population began to increase to 113 individuals including only 30 breeding females in 2003, 230 individuals in 2015, over 300 by 2021, and more than 400 by 2024. But because of their fragile nature, continuous conservation efforts are needed for the survival of this endangered species in the natural environment.
Read the article and learn about Australia’s well-conserved endangered species.
https://edition.cnn.com/science/gallery/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat-photos-c2e/index.html
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