The Office of Environment and Heritage and Far South Coast Police are investigating the alleged shootings of a mother wombat and her baby on a Bega Valley farm, with conservationists calling for action to be taken.
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As reported in the Eden Magnet last Thursday, August 24, the dead wombats were discovered by conservationists Lenore Taylor and Leo Bunyan on private farmland near the public access Moreings Rd near Candelo, on August 3.
Photographs were taken and police were called to the scene, and Ms Taylor later advised Crimestoppers.
Landowner Roger Heffernan said he did not shoot the two wombats photographed, but acknowledged wombats had been “eliminated” on his property “in triple numbers” over the decades. He cited wombat damage to land and river banks as the reason to regard the protected Australian animals as "pests”.
While permits are available for culling wombats, Mr Heffernan said they are more hassle than they are worth and only allow for the removal of a handful of wombats.
Now the incident is in the hands of the authorities, with Far South Coast Local Area Command crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Kevin McNeil leading the investigation, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Office of Environment and Heritage.
“The investigations are ongoing, however the wombats were found on private property not far from the boundary,” Detective McNeil said on Tuesday.
“Today a canvas of people has been conducted, however the identity of the offenders remain unknown.”
The OEH confirmed the investigation was underway, and offered advice and caution to landowners living alongside wombats.
“NPWS staff are aware of these allegations and are working with local NSW Police to investigate the matter,” a NPWS spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The NPWS confirmed that common wombats are a protected species under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and as such “any unauthorised harm of wombats or their habitats is an offence”.
“Wombats can, on occasion, cause significant damage to building foundations, fences or creating potholes that can injure stock, create a hazard for farm machinery and/or motor vehicles,” the NPWS spokesperson said.
“Occasionally, wombats can also cause or exacerbate erosion problems along creeks and other drainage lines.”
NPWS said it may issue licenses to “humanely manage wombats” under the Act, where it is “unlikely to impact on the sustainability of fauna populations”.
An investigation into whether the shooters on Mr Heffernan’s property were licensed is “a matter for the police” the NPWS spokesperson said.
The NPWS advised that landowners who have wombats on their property are encouraged to proactively plan to reduce any negative impacts from wombats.
For more information visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/LivingWithWombats.htm
The NPWS urges anyone with information in the case of the wombat shootings to contact the NPWS Bombala Area Office on 6458 5900.
Alternatively, police recommend contacting Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.