Wombat Flies Around the World to Find Love

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 22, 2021 1:15 am

Dangles the southern hairy-nosed wombat during his quarantine period at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Zoos SA

A southern hairy-nosed wombat known as Dangles orphaned in 2011 has taken an international flight in hopes of finding a mate. Dangles undertook his quarantine at Adelaide Zoo before the flight and to make the story more like a fairytale his new partner is called Adelaide.

Dangle made his way from Adelaide in South Australia to Zoo Miami in Florida to meet his new partner. Zoo Miami have since confirmed that he arrived safely.

“It’s a feel good COVID conservation success story. Dangles has lived at a rescue centre since he was orphaned in 2011. He was hand-raised by his carer for ten years,” says Gert Skipper, Curator of Collection Development.

“When a home became available at Zoo Miami we were quick to snap it up. At ten-years-old he’s in the prime of his life but was running out of time to play a role in a breeding program,” said Dr Rachel Robbins, Life Sciences Support Officer and Species Coordinator for the Southern hairy-nosed wombat.

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“As Species Coordinator I was able to ascertain that Dangles is a good fit in terms of genetics and age. Everything aligned and his transfer is one of the success stories in what is otherwise a very difficult time for transporting animals for breeding and conservation purposes,” finished Dr Rachel.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats are considered near-threated. They face a range of threats including habitat fragmentation, diseases such as sarcoptic mange, competition for food and drought.

Zoos operate a breeding program for the species which primarily uses wild-born wombats which suffered injuries that prevent them returning to the wild.

Information learned from the breeding of this species in captivity may also help with the breeding of the vulnerable Northern hairy-nosed wombat.

Learn more about Wombats here – Wombat Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Adelaide Zoo on their website – Adelaide Zoo