Thanks to decades of targeted conservation efforts, Numbats have officially been downlisted from Endangered to Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (ICUN) Red List. 

For more than three decades, Perth Zoo has bred Numbats for release into wild habitat in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. 

Now, thanks to ongoing collaborative conservation work, wild populations have more than tripled. 


Research in the late 1970s showed populations were estimated to be 300, but today that number is estimated between 2,000 - 3,000. 

IUCN's Red List credits the establishment of at least five more self-sustaining populations to successful Zoo-bred and released animals and wild translocations. 


Since Perth Zoo's Numbat collaborative breed-for-release program commenced in 1993, 325 Zoo-born animals have been released into wild habitat around the country. 

And while this improvement in the official Red List status is a major step forward in the fight against extinction, Numbats still only occupy less than 1% of their original range, with feral cats and foxes remaining a serious threat. 

Ongoing conservation work is needed to maintain this upwards trajectory, and Perth Zoo's efforts for Numbats are not slowing down. 

Behind-the-scenes, this season's cohort of Numbat joeys are still growing with their mums and will become independent in the coming weeks. 

Perth Zoo Science staff will continue to monitor them via CCTV to ensure the young develop as they would in the wild in preparation for a release at the end of the year. 

Within the Zoo's breeding facility, the animals are provided a naturalistic environment and a species-specific termite diet which closely mimics what they would have in the wild - setting them up for the best chance of success for life beyond our Zoo gates. 

Underpinned by cutting edge science, the Zoo's conservation work is recognised globally.

For more than three decades, Perth Zoo experts and scientists within the wider Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have carefully honed the breeding program to ensure its continued success. 



This milestone is a testament to decades of hard work, expertise and passion.

The program's success is made possible in collaboration with scientists and managers in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, as well as other partners and local organisations that release Zoo-born animals into wild habitat in WA and around Australia. 

 
Perth Zoo also works with Project Numbat, a not-for-profit community organisation raising awareness about the Numbat and conservation, and who provide funds for the radio collars which the released Numbats wear, enabling researchers to track their wild development. 

Perth Zoo's Numbat breeding program receives support from Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten Stuttgart. Wilhelma generously provide funds to help with weekly termite collection trips, enabling Perth Zoo to continue providing species-specific nutrition for Numbats.