Famous Rescued Numbat Moves in at Wild Life Sydney

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 16, 2020 4:25 pm

Frankie the numbat explores his new habitat at Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Photo Credit: Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Wild Life Sydney Zoo has announced the arrival of their first numbat. Frankie the numbat has made the move from Perth Zoo to Wild Life Sydney Zoo where he will go on display in the tricky tongues and treetops zone.

Frankie the numbat made headlines in 2016 when he was found abandoned by his mother. He was taken in to the care of Project Numbat in Western Australia and soon after he was adopted and raised by specialists at Perth Zoo.

This week he made the 9 hour journey from Perth Zoo to Wild Life Sydney Zoo where he is settling in to his new home. He will live in the newly built Tricky Tongues and Treetops Zone which is a split habitat with Frankie on one side and another recent arrival, Kofi the tree kangaroo on the other side.

Frankie the numbat explores his new habitat at Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Photo Credit: Wild Life Sydney Zoo

With his arrival, Frankie is the only numbat in a Sydney Zoo and will play an important role in raising awareness and educating visitors on the endangered status of numbats and their critically low numbers in the wild.

“There are less than 1,000 numbats left in the wild,” said Melanie Higgins, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo ZooKeeper. “We’re really excited to have Frankie as a new addition to our family and give visitors the chance to learn about this beautiful Western Australian species right in the heart of Darling Harbour.”

Frankie the numbat explores his new habitat at Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Photo Credit: Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Perth Zoo’s Supervisor of Zoology, Cathy Lambert, said: “Frankie’s life story, thus far has been an adventurous one. Orphaned, raised by zoologists and now graduating from Perth Zoo to be the first numbat on display in Sydney. He is a true ambassador for his species and we hope will shine a light on Western Australia’s endangered fauna emblem.”

— AD —

Numbats are listed as endangered. They are affected by habitat loss and capture by introduced predators including foxes and cats. Ongoing conservation works is helping to increase their population. Recently they were reintroduced to fenced reserves in South Australia and new South Wales where they haven’t been seen for 100 years.