How do you trap a shy wombat? Trialling new trap designs for northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii)

Abstract

The low trap success (2–4%) of northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii) has proven a considerable limiting factor to their conservation and management. This project aimed to utilise expert knowledge and experience to redesign current traps and deployment to improve trap success, reduce by-catch and required resources, and improve safety for field staff and captured fauna. A trial of several trap variations and deployment strategies was conducted at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific). Results indicated new trap design and deployment strategies contributed to improving outcomes against all the aims. Most notably, an increased trap success of 10.5% was detected, significantly improving capabilities to achieve conservation and management outcomes.