In our recent article about the critically endangered Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat, we saw photos and footage of the first baby (known as a joey) born at the newly established wild colony at Richard Underwood Nature Reserve in southern Queensland. There was a second pregnancy at the reserve and lo and behold, in the past 10 days, a second joey has been running around. And we do mean running. The footage that the park rangers have taken of the second joey suggests he/she is a hyperactive little born performer!
Meanwhile, rangers at the original wild colony have confirmed three baby joeys out and about and another eight in their mothers’ pouches. Seeing as there are still only just over a hundred northern hairy-nosed wombats alive, split between only two locations, this baby boom and the early success of the fledgling second colony are heartening signs for the survival of the species.
(Video and video screenshot via Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management)
