Effect of Drought on the Health of Wild Hairy-Nosed Wombats, Lasiorhinus latifrons
In: Wildlife Research, Band 11, Heft 3, S. 455
The health and nutritional status of a population of the hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons
inhabiting the Blanche Town region of South Australia was assessed over a period of 18 months, 12 of
which were during a drought. Measurements were made of body morphology, haematological and
biochemical constituents and vitamin and trace element status of animals in the field: these were
examined in relation to the chemical composition of stomach contents and of faeces. During the study
period, changes in body weight, body condition and selected haematological and chemical constituents
were closely associated with changes in the quantity and quality of food, as measured by faecal nitrogen
and organic matter and by a plant growth index. It appears that wombats in the Blanche Town region
survived a drought of 12 months duration with minimal loss of body tissues and maintained
physiological functions.