Rare Numbat Joeys Spotted in Australian Wildlife Sanctuaries, Offering Hope for Endangered Species

On October 10, 2025, exciting news emerged from the wildlife sanctuaries of south-western New South Wales, Australia. Researchers have spotted baby numbats, one of the country's rarest marsupials, at two different locations, sparking hope for the species' recovery.

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) captured video footage of some of the juvenile numbats exploring outside their den at Mallee Cliffs national park. In total, five numbat joeys, including a set of quadruplet siblings, were seen at this sanctuary. Additionally, two more numbat babies were observed running around logs at the Scotia wildlife sanctuary on Barkindji Country.

These sightings are a significant milestone for the conservation efforts aimed at reestablishing numbat populations in parts of their former range. Rachel Ladd, a wildlife ecologist with AWC, expressed excitement, stating that "seeing seven young numbats lets us know that the population is breeding in favorable environmental conditions and becoming more established."

Numbats are an endangered species in Australia, having once been found across much of the country's arid and semi-arid regions. However, by the 1970s, they had disappeared from most places due to predation by feral animals, such as foxes and cats, as well as habitat destruction. Projects like those at Mallee Cliffs and Scotia sanctuary are working to reintroduce the species and rebuild their populations in protected areas.

The recent sightings of the numbat joeys are a testament to the success of these conservation efforts. As the great-great-grandchildren of numbats reintroduced to Mallee Cliffs in 2020, the new arrivals offer a glimmer of hope for the future of this unique and fascinating marsupial.