Wombat Carers
Rehabilitating Injured Wombats
John and Donna, registered wildlife carers, have been looking after orphaned and injured Australian animals for over six years. They specialize in Bare-nosed wombats, but also take in the occasional kangaroo when the need arises.
Wombles, a Bare-nosed wombat, being bottle fed, May 2002 (picture courtesy of John & Donna, used with permission. Copyright ©2002 Wombadilliac.)
Caring for injured or abandoned wombats isn't an easy job, and it takes a great deal of dedication and commitment. Being a registered carer, Donna has had training to properly care for wombats, however despite her best efforts, all the wombats unfortunately do not make it. But John and Donna have had many successful rehabilitations, and have released numerous wombats back into the wild -- wombats who would have had little chance of surviving if it weren't for their efforts.
This is all done on a volunteer basis as John and Donna receive no funding from the government or wildlife organizations. So despite the fact that caring for young wombats is a 24 hour a day job, they both have full-time jobs so they can support their efforts.
They've recently established a 200 acre wombat sanctuary in New South Wales where they can release the wombats after they've been rehabilitated. This gives the wombats a more gradual introduction to the wild, and thus they have a better chance of survival. They can also look after many more wombats here, and have had up to 17 at a time. Donna has a new website, Sleepy Burrows, where you can read more about caring for wombats.
If you think you'd like to care for wombats or other native Australian animals yourself, information on how to become a registered wildlife carer can be found at the WIRES website.
by Peter Marinacci
