Numbats collared to multiply in bush

With the black swan, whale shark and kangaroo paw, the numbat is one of our State symbols.

But it is rare to find anyone who has seen one in its natural habitat - the WA bush.

The fact the numbat is small, camouflaged and fast is one thing, but predators such as foxes and cats and a loss of habitat are the main reasons for this.

The small marsupial is endangered, with fewer than 1000 left in the wild.

But through the tireless work of Perth Zoo, community group Project Numbat and the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the numbat is fighting back.

The zoo has reared 195 numbats in partnership with the department to establish new populations in suitable habitats.

Yesterday, 14 numbats were fitted with small radio collars, and they will be released this week into the western Wheatbelt, where they will make their new home.

Department researcher Tony Friend said once the numbats established their home range of up to 50ha, they would stay there.

The collars enable scientists to follow their progress and monitor females to see if they breed.

With AAP