The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a small marsupial endemic to Western Australia, surviving only in a few isolated reserves. As Australia's most specialised termite-eater, it faces severe threats from predation, habitat loss, and climate change.
Wild numbats face intense predation stress from foxes and feral cats, requiring constant vigilance. Baiting programs using 1080 poison reduce predator pressure but carry risks to non-target species. In captivity, numbats need specialised diets of live termites or formulated substitutes, and welfare monitoring focuses on body condition, reproductive success, and stress indicators. Reintroduced individuals face an adaptation period with elevated stress during prey search and territory establishment.