Wildlife Conservation

Numbat: Australia's Endangered Termite Specialist

The numbat is a small, termite-eating marsupial found only in southwestern Australia. Predation by introduced foxes and cats has reduced its population to around 1,000 individuals.

Key Facts

Numbats eat 20,000 termites per day using their long sticky tongue
Diurnal (active by day) — unusual among marsupials
Only two wild populations survive: Dryandra Woodland and Tone-Perup Nature Reserve
Foxes and feral cats are the primary drivers of population collapse
Listed as Endangered under Australian law

Welfare Considerations

Predator pressure means numbats live in constant fear state, affecting foraging time and reproductive success. Predation itself involves violent deaths. Fenced predator-free sanctuaries offer dramatically improved welfare and survival prospects.

What You Can Do

Support Project Numbat and their predator-free breeding enclosures
Advocate for expanded fox and cat control programs in numbat habitat
Donate to Australian Wildlife Conservancy's predator-free sanctuary network
Support Indigenous rangers who protect numbat habitat on Country