Working with Wombats

The Southern Hairy-nosed wombat and farmers have trouble living together. The wombats are always digging new burrows to get from one paddock to another concequently making big holes in the fence through which the domestic animals can escape.
A farmer was denied permission by the authorities to destroy the wombats.CVA was assigned to help by creating tunnels for the wombats and to mend the existing fence. It was a hot job but we are all confident that the wombat will prefer the convenient tunnel way instead of digging a new burrow.

The Wombat Rescue and fixing the fence:

A job well done!

THE SOUTHERN HAIRY NOSED WOMBAT

Brookfield and surrounding area is a harsh semi arid land where food and water is often scarce and the sun extreme. The wombat survives by spending hot days underground in burrows to conserve energy and water. They drink almost nothing and get their moisture from native grasses which are their main food.

Wombats mature when they are 3 years old. They need three good seasons to survive as adults. First season to promote fertility, second for good milk production and the third enough grass must grow to feed the juveniles. The joeys live in the pouch for 6 to 9 months. The female pouch opens backwards to hinder dirt getting in the pouch, a useful adaptation. They are stocky in body, have strong muscular legs and clawed feet  which is useful for digging burrows. A mature wombat weighs 25 kgs and is a metre in length.

Wombats are nocturnal, they are most active at night. We went looking for wombats and only saw one at night running accross the road. It was just too hot for them when we were at Brookfield! They "test" the temperature by backing out of their burrows and if it is too hot they crawl back inn again!



THE WOMBAT INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

The wombat rescue team has saved many wombats that have been hurt by cars, domestic animals or people. They are often well enough to return to their environment within  30 to 40 days. If a wombat is raised in captivity, they remain there or placed a zoo or park.

This is a baby wombat called Eve. She was rescued from the pouch of her mother who was killed by a car. Often there is a young "joey" in the pouch. They can survive up to three days after the mother is killed. Eve is less than a hundred grams and needs feeding every hour.

This is Barney.

 These wombats have taken over the house!