Also genetic separation of populations through fragmentation, and susceptibility to disease. Work has been based on the protection of eucalypt woodlands, captive breeding, reintroductions and translocation to suitable areas in south-west Western Australia. Reintroduction is carried out after control of foxes has been undertaken, individuals are radio-tracked to monitor their fate. A Recovery Plan is presently in operation for this species. Numbats have proved difficult to breed in captivity, most of the animals released into other areas have come from wild populations.
Numbats now occur in areas secure from clearing, mostly in state forests and nature reserves.
There is now a total of three Numbat populations with another three being established. A captive Numbat consumed from 10,000 to 20,000 small termites daily. These smaller termites are swallowed whole, larger species are thoroughly chewed. It is the only marsupial adapted to feeding on colonial insects. An Action Plan for their Conservation .