Northern hairy-nosed wombat.
Photo © Alan Horsup

Creating a new wild colony of endangered wombats is a much better option than sending them to a zoo, says Wildlife Queensland.

We oppose putting such endangered species in zoos,' said Des Boyland, Wildlife Queensland's policies and campaigns manager commenting on rumours that the Government was considering gifting some northern hairy-nosed wombats  to a large south-east Queensland zoo.

'Any zoo stock must be captive bred.'

Mr Boyland's comments were based on the recently ratified Wildlife Queensland zoo policy formalised on 21 February 2009.

'The additional secure wild colony of northern hairy-nosed wombats near St George is a good risk management strategy,' added Mr Boyland.

Mr Boyland was commenting on the imminent move by the Environmental Protection Agency of part of the entire population of critically endangered wombats from their Epping Forest reserve to a specially selected and secured property in south-west Queensland.

'EPA staff members have assured me that they have taken every step to ensure the success of this move.'

'‘They are spreading the risk of fire and flood impact; the recent floods came close to the colony,' said Mr Boyland.

More information on northern hairy-nosed wombats

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.