Tasmanian Wombat

C19th engraving of the Tasmanian Wombat.

First reported sighting February 1797, after the ship Sydney Cove ran aground on Clarke Island in February 1797, the crew of the salvage ship, Francis, discovered wombats on the island. A live animal was taken back to Port Jackson.  

Governor John Hunter later sent the animal’s corpse to Joseph Banks at the Literary and Philosophical Society to verify that it was a new species. 

Naming 26 January 1798 

‘We saw several sorts of dung of different animals, one of which Wilson called a Whom-batt, which is an animal about 20 inches high, with short legs and a thick body…’ Bargo, N.S.W. John Price.

First detailed description 25 August 1798 Letter from Hunter to Joseph Banks.

Common names Common Wombat, Naked-nosed Wombat, Coarse-haired Wombat, Island Wombat, Tasmanian Wombat & Forest Wombat.

Modern binomial name Vombatus ursinus

First described Shaw 1800

Distribution SA, VIC, TAS, NSW & QLD.

Reference The Mammals of Australia, Strahan, 2nd edition. Page: 204-205, ill.204