The main threat to numbats is predation by feral foxes and cats, making captive breeding programs, such as the one at Perth Zoo, vital for the species’ survival.
Photo Credit: Perth Zoo
At Perth Zoo, captive-bred numbats are prepared for release into the wild through predator awareness training. At 11 months of age, zoo keepers will walk a live bird of prey around the numbat’s enclosure to test the marsupial’s response.
Photo Credit: Perth Zoo
Numbats are one of only two Australian marsupials that are active solely during the day, when termites – their sole food source – are most active. However, this makes them vulnerable to birds of prey so they must live in areas that can provide plenty of shelter.
Photo Credit: Perth Zoo
The main threat to numbats is predation by feral foxes and cats, making captive breeding programs, such as the one at Perth Zoo, vital for the species’ survival.
Photo Credit: Perth Zoo
At Perth Zoo, captive bred numbats are prepared for release into the wild through predator awareness training. At 11 months of age, zoo keepers will walk a live bird of prey around the numbat’s enclosure to test the marsupial’s response.
Photo Credit: Perth Zoo
In July last year, the numbat was named as one of 20 priority species by Gregory Andrews, the federal government’s Threatened Species Commissioner.
There are less than 1000 numbats left alive on the planet, including those in enclosed reserves and zoos. One of the main areas were they are found is the Dryandra woodland in WA’s southern wheatbelt. To donate and help save the numbat look for the AG Society numbat fundraiser in issue 130.
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