Save My Cousin!

The Wombat Foundation

"Ensuring the preservation of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat"

A Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (picture used with permission from TWF)

The Wombat Foundation has been specifically established to ensure the survival of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. With around 90 Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats left in the world (survey 2002), these animals are on the precarious brink of extinction unless positive action is taken immediately.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an organisation which maintains a 'red list' of threatened animal species throughout the world. The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is listed as critically endangered (extinct in the wild in the near future) with the IUCN. One colony of NHWs exists in the entire world and is located in Epping Forest National Park, in the Australian state of Queensland. Efforts are underway to locate sites for the establishment of new colonies and to develop the techniques required, but at this stage the low number of Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats means that removing any individuals from the colony is too risky. A population skew favouring male Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats over breeding females further adds to the uncertain position of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat.

The Wombat Foundation Logo

In summary, The Wombat Foundation has the following objectives with saving the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (sourced from the Foundation's constitution):

• to assist, financially or otherwise, in the recovery and preservation of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat;
• to obtain funds or other property through donations, bequests, public appeals, special events and from the corporate sector;
• to pursue business interests, commercial activities, sponsorship and other appropriate relationships with the public and private sectors to achieve the company's objectives;
• to increase the profile of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat;
• to promote research into the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat;
• to work in association with the Recovery Team; and
• to establish and maintain a public fund to be called the The Wombat Foundation Public Fund for the specific purpose of supporting the environmental objects/purposes of The Wombat Foundation.

Dr Alan Horsup (right) (picture used with permission from TWF)

The Wombat Foundation is chaired by PJ Nicholson, who as a teenage schoolboy in the 1960s, was fascinated by wombats and their burrows and explored their secret world. Peter's resulting investigations have possibly been the catalyst to further studies on wombats in general, and most texts on wombats refer to Peter and his findings after all these years.

Dr Alan Horsup is closely involved with the Foundation. Alan is a conservation officer with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and leads the Recovery Program team for the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. The team consists of a number of researchers, conservationists, volunteers and interested organisations (such as the Australian Geographic Society).

The first newsletter of The Wombat Foundation (PDF - approx 380kb) can be downloaded which gives information on the status of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat by Dr Alan Horsup, and the recovery process implemented to save this magnificent creature. Additional newsletters can also be accessed:

• Vol 2. No1 April 2005 (PDF - 125Kb)
• Vol 2. No2 July 2005 (PDF - 50Kb)
• Vol 2. No3 December 2005 (PDF - 85Kb)
• Vol 3. No1 August 2006 (PDF - 380Kb)
• Vol 3. No2 December 2006 (PDF - 235Kb)

'Rumbles' the common wombat eager to help his cousin...

The Wombat Foundation is listed in the Register of Environmental Organisations which is maintained by the Australian Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.

If you live within Australia, any donations of $2 or more that you make towards the Foundation are tax deductible. If you feel strongly about the preservation of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, you may also decide to become a member of The Wombat Foundation.

Further information and contact details can be found on The Wombat Foundation's website at www.wombatfoundation.com.au.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat T-shirts and gifts A new order form ( PDF file ) is being developed so that you can purchase Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat cards, posters, t-shirts, caps, and polo shirts. A wide variety of colours and sizes (including children's) will be available. Proceeds from the sale of these items helps the recovery process for the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. Navy coloured peaked cap Navy coloured men's polo top Embossed silver logo on navy coloured polo top

Please...don't let the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat go the same way as the Tasmanian Tiger and become extinct in your lifetime. Your help and support is urgently needed. Spread the word about The Wombat Foundation and help preserve Australia's most endangered asset.

Acknowledgements

Pictures of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat and the recovery process displayed on these web pages are used with permission from The Wombat Foundation.