University of Tasmania effort to combat sarcoptic mange in wombats

The University of Tasmania says a proposed treatment program may aid in the prevention and control of a deadly disease in wombats.

A NEW treatment program is offering hope to combat a deadly disease in wombats.

The University of Tasmania says a proposed treatment program may aid in the prevention and control of sarcoptic mange, which is transmitted through the environment by mites.

According to the Department of Primary Industries, current treatment programs to combat wombat mange require weekly doses for eight weeks, making treatment of wild wombats problematic.

The deadly disease sarcoptic mange is sweeping through populations of wombats in Tasmania. Picture: ALYNN MARTIN

The proposed treatment program uses a solution called Cydectin which is applied to the burrows of wild wombats.

Initial testing was carried out at Narawntapu National Park in northern Tasmania, with positive results for short-term treatment.

But environmental factors complicated the process, said PhD student Alynn Martin.

University of Tasmania PhD student Alynn Martin with a door for a wombat burrow. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

“After three months of trying to treat each wombat in the population every week, the disease returned and wombats continued to die,” she said.

“It was very disappointing to see after going to so much effort to save these wombats.”

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However, further research in conjunction with ecological modeller Dr Shane Richards developed a treatment that yielded better results. “Slight improvements in multiple aspects of disease control can have dramatic impacts on our capacity to control this disease in wombats,” Dr Richards said.