PERTH Zoo will receive $10,000 from the Federal Government to support its numbat breeding program.
Following previous royal births, the contribution was made to honour the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s most recent son, Prince Louis Arthur Charles.
Perth Zoo is the only zoo in the world to breed the endangered species and aims to strengthen wild populations to fight extinction.
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READ NOWBut despite more than 200 numbats being bred and released into the wild by the zoo, less than 1000 remain in their natural habitat.
WA Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson said he was delighted WA’s fauna emblem would benefit from the contribution.
“It’s hoped this will inspire people all around the world to learn more about numbats,” he said.
“They used to be widespread throughout Australia but sadly, due to the effects of introduced species like cats and foxes, today original wild populations are found only within a couple of small areas of WA.
“We look forward to hopefully one day being able to welcome the Prince to Perth Zoo to see the specialised numbat breeding area, and how this contribution in honour of his birth has helped the conservation of the species.”
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