What can be done to help the numbat not become extinct?

Answer 1

Yes, the numbat is endangered. The primary cause of numbats being endangered is the introduction of non-native species to Australia. Introduced species such as foxes, and feral cats and dogs, pose a considerable threat to the numbat. It is a small, quite defenseless creature, only able to protect itself by hiding in hollow logs.

Another reason is habitat loss. Their habitat has been cleared for industry, agriculture and expanding human habitation.

Answer 2

No, the numbat is not extinct. It is classified as "endangered" with a population trend "decreasing", according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the "IUCN Red List". For more details, please see sites listed below.

Numbats are endangered due to the introduction of non-native species to Australia. Introduced species such as foxes, and feral cats and dogs, pose a considerable threat to the numbat. It is a small, quite defenceless creature, only able to protect itself by hiding in hollow logs.

Habitat loss is also a danger for numbats: their habitat has been cleared for industry, agriculture and expanding human habitation. Unless these issues are addressed, the numbat may well become extinct in the wild in the future.

Answer 3

There is no way to predict when or if a particular species is going to become extinct. The numbat is currently classified as "endangered" with a population trend "decreasing", according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the "IUCN Red List".

Numbats are endangered due to the introduction of non-native species to Australia. Introduced species such as foxes, and feral cats and dogs, pose a considerable threat to the numbat. It is a small, quite defenceless creature, only able to protect itself by hiding in hollow logs.

Habitat loss is also a danger for numbats: their habitat has been cleared for industry, agriculture and expanding human habitation. Unless these issues are addressed, the numbat may well become extinct in the wild in the future.

Answer 4

Quite a few things can be done, and are being done, to help prevent extinction of the numbat. Numbats were officially listed as endangered on 2 December 1970. Since that time, a number of other programmes have been established to help this defenceless marsupial of Western Australia.

• In 1996, the Department of Environment and Conservation of Western Australia launched the Western Shield Program which works to protect native species at risk of extinction. This programme works to actively control and reduce introduced pests such as the red fox and feral cats, which pose a huge threat to numbats. It also uses radio-tracking equipment to improve knowledge of numbat feeding and sheltering grounds, their home ranges and the impact of predators.
• The Department of Environment and Conservation also works to reduce the likelihood of bushfires in threatened native species' habitat.
• In 1986, Perth Zoo started a captive breeding programme with the aim of releasing bred, threatened species back into protected reserves in the wild.
• The Australian Wildlife Conservancy assists conservation of endangered species by buying land to be used specifically for reserves to protect and preserve these vulnerable species. This enables the numbats to be put into fox-free areas, which has been proven to increase their numbers and chance of survival.
• "Project Numbat" is a programme which involves the community in helping to protect the numbat. See the related link below.

The average citizen can also assist by taking responsibility for their pets, so that further feral animals are not introduced into the wild. in addition, the usual precautions regarding lighting of bushfires apply.

Answer 5

Numbats are already endangered. They were officially listed as endangered on 2 December 1970. Since that time, a number of other programmes have been established to help this defenceless marsupial of Western Australia.

• In 1996, the Department of Environment and Conservation of Western Australia launched the Western Shield Program which works to protect native species at risk of extinction. This programme works to actively control and reduce introduced pests such as the red fox and feral cats, which pose a huge threat to numbats. It also uses radio-tracking equipment to improve knowledge of numbat feeding and sheltering grounds, their home ranges and the impact of predators.
• The Department of Environment and Conservation also works to reduce the likelihood of bushfires in threatened native species' habitat.
• In 1986, Perth Zoo started a captive breeding programme with the aim of releasing bred, threatened species back into protected reserves in the wild.
• The Australian Wildlife Conservancy assists conservation of endangered species by buying land to be used specifically for reserves to protect and preserve these vulnerable species. This enables the numbats to be put into fox-free areas, which has been proven to increase their numbers and chance of survival.

Answer 6

No. The numbat is one of the very few marsupials that is truly diurnal.