Water Divining Wombats
Wildlife monitoring cameras show wildlife using waterholes dug by wombats during severe drought.
Capacity to Deliver - LP038-003
The issue
As part of our ongoing Wildlife Discovery Program, wildlife monitoring cameras were set up on a property at Merriwa aimed at some wombat waterholes, and the results were fantastic.
One watering hole was out in the open attracting only emus, goannas and wombats, the other was more sheltered amongst trees and shrubs attracting echidnas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, goannas and numerous bird species.
Unsurprisingly most activity was from late afternoon through till early morning often with a number of different species lining up for their turn to drink. The only non native animals seen at the watering holes were European Bees (yes, the cameras are that sensitive).
The solution
The Wildlife Discovery Program is an ongoing project in the Hunter to encourage landholders to learn more about what wildlife is on their property. Results from the program are loaded into the Atlas of Living Australia.
The impact
The story about the abundance of wildlife using the wombat watering holes received a lot of media attention worldwide during a time of extreme drought and bad bush fires, after being first published through the ABC and IFLscience.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-07/water-diviner-wombats-bring-animals-to-water-hole/11937990
https://www.newsweek.com/hero-wombats-are-saving-other-animals-drought-digging-craters-1486285
Learnings
Establishing and maintaining good relationships with local journalists is an important part of getting the Landcare message out, in this case it was a "feel good" story at a time of extreme drought and bushfires. Journalist Ben Millington had rung Coordinator Paul Melehan on another matter when Paul said "by the way, I think I've got a story for you".
Key facts
- During times of extreme drought the smallest waterholes can play an important role in ensuring the survival of native fauna.