Two years after Australia's first wombat citizen science project was launched, researchers are starting to analyse data about where the native animal is facing its biggest threats.

WomSAT was started in 2015 and called on the public to log sightings of wombats and burrows via the website or app.



Since then the project has recorded nearly 7,000 sightings across New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

"We're getting up there in terms of people logging on and getting involved," project leader and Western Sydney University Associate Professor Julie Old said.

"Wombats aren't always thought of as being a positive wildlife species.

"Farmers, for example, usually encounter them when they hit people's cars, but overall 99 per cent of people have been positive about the project."

Highways a problem

The researchers are starting to see patterns in the data, particularly with dead wombat sightings.

Vehicle collisions are one of the biggest threats to wombats. ( Supplied: Professor Julie Old )

According to the information map on WomSAT, highways in regional areas are the most dangerous for the animals.

In greater Sydney, the highest number of roadkill sightings have occurred along Barkers Lodge Rd near Picton and along main roads in Bundanoon and Braidwood.

Large clusters of live wombats have been spotted in the Blue Mountains near Wolgan Valley, around Kangaroo Valley and Bundanoon.

Associate Professor Old said once researchers analysed the data they could begin lobbying authorities to implement strategies to reduce vehicle collisions.

"Whether it's signage or underpasses or barriers on the road, I think we need to focus on the areas with a high number of wombats and other species being killed," she said.

Understanding mange patterns

One of the main focus areas for researchers is to understand the spread and pattern of sarcoptic mange among wombat populations.

Sarcoptic mange is spreading through two of the three wombat species. ( Supplied: Professor Julie Old )

Mange is a fatal disease in which mites burrow into the skin of wombats.

It causes itchiness, deafness and blindness as well as secondary infections.

"People see them with very little fur and they're obviously very distressed," Associate Professor Old said.

"We want to know if the sarcoptic mange is a seasonal change, is it more prevalent at certain times of the year, is it more prevalent when it's raining more, is it related habitat and seasonal?"

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Associate Professor Old said it was unlikely experts would ever be able to contain the disease because "it is such a big problem".

She is researching the immunology aspects of mange, while scientists in Tasmania are looking into strategies to help aid the wombats.

The lack of historical information and long-term data about wombats and the disease is why researchers will continue the citizen science project for many years to come.

"It's important because we need to maintain Australia's biodiversity," Associate Professor Old said.

"Wombats are unique to Australia and they are really important.

"We call them ecological engineers; they make habitats for other species when they make their burrows. It's important for soil turnover and seed dispersal."