Our Activities

Since 2006, we have contributed more than $200,000 for Numbat conservation activities. This is in addition to raising awareness of Numbat conservation in the community through attendance at events, as well as through our school education programs.

Here are a few of the activities Project Numbat is involved with.

Conservation and research

Project Numbat has provided funds to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for the purchase of radio tracking collars for Numbats released annually into areas of habitat managed by DBCA. The collars help determine the survival of the released Numbats. Since 2007, Project Numbat raised more than $10,000 for radio-collars.

In June 2011 Project Numbat donated $6000 to Perth Zoo to part-fund a study into the reproductive cycles of the Zoo’s female Numbats. Perth Zoo breeds Numbats for release into the wild and is hoping to increase the number of Numbats born each year through the research findings. 

Between 2009 and 2015 Project Numbat funded $13,000 worth of aerial surveys (conducted by the Department of Parks and Wildlife) over Cocanarup Timber Reserve, Dryandra State Forest and Batalling State Forest, to locate radio-collared Numbats.

Numbats can travel long distances and flights are an effective way of determining their location which is followed by on-ground tracking so the Numbats can receive a health check. This activity provides valuable information about the Numbat.

Education Program

Project Numbat recognises the important role education plays in planting the seed for behavioural change. As a result, we have developed a comprehensive school-based program for Primary and Secondary School students. The aims of the program are to:

• raise awareness of the threatened Western Australian species, the Numbat.

• build state/national attachment of this unique WA marsupial.

• encourage conservation action from the community (development of environmentally responsible citizens, fundraising for future PN projects etc.) 

The programs include lesson plans, presentation and teacher resources and activities for before, during and after the incursion. Teachers can either deliver the program themselves or request a Project Numbat volunteer to come and talk to their class. Please visit our schools page for more information.

Events

Project Numbat regularly attends events around Perth and the south-west where we can raise awareness about the Numbat, our group, and the work being done to save them from extinction. Information on upcoming events can be found on the news page. 

Digging Surveys

Project Numbat with its trained members have conducted two dig surveys at Boyagin Nature Reserve in partnership with the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Young Numbats begin dispersing in November and this is the best time to search for their diggings and scats to determine their presence across a reserve. Numbats dig small holes to reach termite galleries and our members who volunteer are trained to recognise these digs as it is important to tell the difference between Echidna, Woylie and other diggings in the bushland. Surveys are conducted over three days and provide a snap shot of Numbat presence and habitat use.

Volunteers

Project Numbat is growing its membership base and providing opportunities for members to become involved in field work. So far this has included radio-tracking for Numbats in Dryandra Woodland, organised by the Department of Biodiveristy Conservation and Attractions, and termite surveys at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s new Mt Gibson sanctuary. We hope to increase the involvement of our members in field work over time, including things like digging survey teams and servicing our field cameras. Please contact us via email at info@numbat.org.au to register your interest.