Lack of food and water is pushing more wildlife than usual on to the roads. As a result, volunteer wildlife rescue agencies across the Far South Coast are struggling to find carers to cover the amount of injured wildlife being brought in.
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WIRES wombat species coordinator Shari Lea said although there had been a significant rise in all animal species, wombats have come in to care a little earlier than expected this year.
“With a limited number of carers we have been overwhelmed with the number of wombats as well as other species. Having tiny wombats (joeys) is unusual this time of the year.”
Baby wombat Nudge was found wandering through bushland on the side of the Princes Hwy. She had remained close to her dead mother who was a roadkill victim.
Licensed wildlife carer Dean Saxby has been caring for injured wildlife for over 10 years. Mr Saxby said Nudge had come a long way since being handed over to his care two months ago.
“She was handed to me by a farmer. She had been on the side of the road for about five days and was exhausted, dehydrated and covered in ticks – she was on her last legs,” he said.
“She came to the right place. She has made a complete turn around, now she powers through the grass and is putting on weight like a champion.”
Nudge will spend at least 18 months with Mr Saxby before being released back into the bush. A buddy system is crucial to animals thriving in a rescue situation.
“She needs a buddy, she needs to learn to be a wombat. The more time she spends with another wombat will make it easier to release her in the long run.”
Ms Lea said the agency currently had 20 wombats in care from “baby to release”, all of which were victims of road trauma.
Ms Lea urged drivers to take extra caution and slow down on the roads, especially between dusk and dawn.
“It is so important, a car travelling at 100 kilometres per hour is difficult to stop in time if there is an animal on the road. Wombats tend to freeze and kangaroos are unpredictable.”
For injured wildlife call:
WIRES 1300 094 737
Wildlife Rescue South Coast 0417 238 921
RELATED COVERAGE:
- WIRES urgently seeking volunteer carers
- Donate to Nudge’s enclosure https://www.gofundme.com/wombatorium