Underground discovery could help save one of the world's rarest mammals

This northern hairy-nosed wombat at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge has a young joey, believe to be about five months old, in her pouch. (Supplied: Australian Wildlife Conservancy)

One of the world's most critically endangered animals may be able to live in more areas than conservationists previously realised.

A study of northern hairy-nosed wombat burrows found the species can adapt to different soil conditions, challenging long-held beliefs about its habitat needs.

Researchers hope the findings will help identify new locations where future populations could be established.

One of the world's rarest mammals may be able to survive in a wider range of habitats than previously thought, new research suggests, expanding options for future conservation sites.

There are about 450 northern hairy-nosed wombats remaining across three protected sites in Queensland, making the species one of Australia's most critically endangered animals.

It is the largest of Australia's three wombat species and the world's largest burrowing marsupial.

In the 1980s there were only 35 of the wombats left in existence. Now, there are over 400. (Supplied: Department of Environment)

A study published in Australian Mammalogy found the critically endangered species can construct burrows in a broader range of soil types than previously understood, with researchers saying the findings could help them identify future sites for additional populations.

In the 1980s, there were only an estimated 35 wombats left at Epping Forest National Park near Clermont in central Queensland.

A second population was established at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge (RUNR), north of St George in southern Queensland, in the mid-2000s.

The Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat is one of the world's most endangered animals. (Supplied: Australian Wildlife Conservancy)

A third site was established at Dhuny Yumba National Park — formerly Powrunna State Forest — also near St George in 2024.

Bush Heritage Australia ecologist Andy Howe worked on the study while he was a senior field ecologist with Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

The research used more advanced ground-penetrating radar technology to create detailed underground maps of five wombat burrows at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge.

Andy Howe was the lead researcher looking at wombat burrows. (ABC News: Peter Quattrocelli)

Mr Howe said much of what conservationists understood about northern hairy-nosed wombat burrows had come from studies conducted at Epping Forest National Park.

"One of the things we set out to do was to see if there was a differen