Zoo Miami announces first-ever birth of southern hairy-nosed wombat

MIAMI — Zoo Miami on Friday announced the birth of a southern hairy-nosed wombat, marking the first successful birth of the species in the zoo’s history and the only successful birth of a southern hairy-nosed wombat in the United States this year.

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The female joey was born to first-time parents Gordon, an 8.5-year-old male from the Los Angeles Zoo, and Adelaid, a 9.5-year-old female from Brookfield Zoo. She is estimated to have been born Jan. 19, according to Zoo Miami ambassador Ron Magill.

Magill said southern hairy-nosed wombats are the smallest of the three wombat species and are native to Australia. They typically weigh between 45 and 65 pounds and are known for their powerful claws, which they use to dig extensive underground burrows.

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He said like other marsupials, wombats raise their young in a pouch. A wombat’s pouch opens toward the rear, which helps keep dirt out while the mother digs.

The joey has recently started emerging from her mother’s pouch, giving visitors their first glimpses of Zoo Miami’s historic new arrival.

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