Western Australia came very close to having a mammal emblem that was extinct.
    A few years ago numbats were considered to be critically endangered. However, new populations have been found and given additional protection with fox baiting programs.
    Their numbers are growing again, but they are still confined to small pockets in the south-west.
    Numbats are termite eaters and have long snouts for getting to the ants and distinctive stripes on their backs. They are unmistakable if you see one in the bush.
    They are bred in captivity at the South Perth zoo.

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