Make a Difference for the Broad-Toothed Rat
Symbolically adopt Preston the 'Pygmy Wombat'
Choose to symbolically adopt Preston, the world's first hand-raised Broad-Toothed Rat. Adorably nicknamed the 'Pygmy Wombat', this endangered species is needing your help.
In the wild, the Broad-Toothed Rat lives in fragile, high-altitude swamps, including the Barrington Tops region. Today, these fragmented populations are being decimated by habitat loss and damage from feral animals. Wild horses, deer and pigs trample the delicate alpine swamps, while foxes and cats devour Pygmy Wombats.
Every digital adoption goes towards protecting the future of Preston and his species, so make a symbolic adoption today!
Meet Preston
The World's First Hand Raised Broad-Toothed Rat
Meet Preston! He is one of two pups born into Aussie Ark's vital breeding program for the endangered Broad-Toothed Rat. Sadly, his mother rejected him, and without intervention, he wouldn't have made it.
Today, he's thriving under the care of his new 'mum', Aussie Ark's Chief Conservation Officer, Hayley Shute. He's now being hand-raised and growing quickly. Whilst he won't rejoin our breeding and rewilding program, he's now a a key ambassador for his species!
Why They’re at Risk
- Invasive Weeds: Aggressive weeds such as Scotch Broom are choking the last remaining swamps where the Broad-Toothed Rat survives. Dense infestations alter habitat structure and are extremely difficult to eradicate.
- Introduced Species: Feral predators, particularly cats and foxes, prey heavily on Broad-Toothed Rats. Competition from other rodents, such as the native but invasive Swamp Rat, reduces food and shelter availability. Feral herbivores — including horses, pigs, and deer — trample and degrade the delicate swamp understorey, further reducing safe cover.
- Fire & Climate Change: Increasingly intense fire seasons and a warming climate threaten the cool, moist environments this species depends on, leading to long-term habitat loss and fragmentation.
Make a difference for Preston and his species today by making a digital adoption.
Aussie Ark’s Conservation Work
Aussie Ark is breaking new ground in the fight to save the elusive Broad-Toothed Rat, a little-known but vital part of Australia’s ecosystems.
- World-First Captive Breeding: In a groundbreaking achievement, Aussie Ark has successfully bred Broad-Toothed Rats in captivity at our Conservation Ark facility — the first time this has been done anywhere in the world. These breeding efforts are creating a healthy insurance population to protect the species from extinction in the wild.
- Monitoring & Research: Our team studies the species’ behaviour, population trends, and ecological needs, ensuring that every conservation action is backed by solid science.
- Public Awareness & Advocacy: Through education and engagement, we raise the profile of the Broad-Toothed Rat and push for stronger protections for its remaining habitat.
Through these pioneering efforts, Aussie Ark is giving the Broad-Toothed Rat a fighting chance at survival and securing its place in Australia’s wild future.
Support Aussie Ark's vital efforts for the Broad-Toothed Rat through a symbolic adoption.
Find out more about how we’re helping Broad-Toothed Rats
Aussie Ark is stepping up to protect Australia’s wildlife at a time when it has never been more urgent. From building predator-proof sanctuaries and restoring vital habitats, to running world-leading breeding programs and reintroducing animals back into the wild, we are giving threatened species a fighting chance. Every action we take is about safeguarding the future of these animals and ensuring Australia’s unique wildlife can thrive for generations to come.
