A campaign is on to stop a mange outbreak threatening the wombat population of Narawntapu National Park in Tasmania's north.

At least half the wombats in the park are affected by the disease, which is caused by mites burrowing under the wombat's skin, irritating the animal and causing fur to fall out.

University of Tasmania researchers are looking into how the mite is spread and its impact on wombats.

Disease ecologist Scott Carver said the mammals would be tagged, treated and monitored.

"We're actually looking to start catching wombats and tagging them and then at the same time looking at how their immune systems respond to this infection and how we can manage that," he said.

To treat the animals, the researchers will install flaps at the entrance to burrows that will apply medication.

As a wombat passes through the flap the treatment is poured on its back.

"We're going to treat the wombats at a population level and try and make them resistant to the mite for a period of time," Mr Carver said .

The treatment program will run for three to six months.

Honours student Alynn Martin said the goal was to rid the park of mange.

"Hopefully this will be the first wild population treatment and if it's successful we can hopefully mitigate and control the mite until it's eradicated from this park," she said.

Sorry, this video has expired Campaign underway to save mange-infested wombats ( Selina Bryan )

Kellie Simpson has spent 125 hours watching wombats in the park and has collected the most comprehensive data yet on their behaviour.

The honours student said mange affected the wombats' behaviour and left them with poorer body condition.

"Wombats with mange spent less time walking, they spent more time drinking water, they had a slower feeding rate," she said.

The researchers said improvement could be expected within the first 12 months and monitoring would continue for years to come.