South Australia’s Faunal Emblem Soon to Be Homeless

The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, South Australia’s beloved faunal emblem, is under grave threat as their key guardians in their plight for protection, are being forced to relocate from the safe haven they have built over the past 10 years. If they do not find a home in 60 days, 40 wombats will die.

Brigitte Stevens, one of Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin’s prodigies (and still mentored after 20 years by Steve’s father, Bob), is the founder of the sole dedicated Southerns registered charity Wombat Awareness Organisation.

Without Government support, and with minimal donations, she has single handedly funded the care, rescue of the South Australia’s wombats, even providing food drops for wild populations affected by fire and mange; having invested her entire life savings to rescue these little Aussie battlers over the last 10 years. With the accounts drained and assets depleted, the pair and the free range population of wombats in their care at a dire impasse, needing to move on from the current site in Callington, with nowhere to relocate to.

Brigitte and her colleague Clare Jans, must leave their self-created sanctuary in just 60 days.

With the lease expiring, and an acreage of at least 20 acres required with a primary and secondary dwelling needed, there is a significant fear they will not find a place to house the marsupials.

“I just can’t live with that”, Brigitte says.

“I felt strongly the species will die out if there isn’t someone looking out for them. So I decided in 2005 that the person to do that was me. I’ve been running WAO without any government funding, and now I need help to keep protecting these vulnerable animals and find them a new place to be rehabilitated”, Brigitte laments.

And in light of the recent bushfires in the surrounding areas and the Government issue of destruction permits, which regularly reduce the numbers of wombats in the wild, Brigitte is now even more determined to ensure safe passage for the dozens currently in her care.

“We need to find a suitable location where we can create a wombat kitchen, to prepare wombat food, bottles etc, a wombat barn- a communal eating area for semi rehabilitated wombats, and a wombat ward, which is essentially a bedroom for wombats with head injuries as a result of being hit by cars”.

Currently Brigitte and Clare run a 24 hour service to rescue any wombat injured or orphaned across South Australia. They have the support of many animal professionals including much loved animal conservationist Bob Irwin, who when asked about Wombat Awareness’ contribution stated, “You couldn’t find anybody more dedicated or passionate about what they’re doing.”

“I’m really concerned that the way the South Australian Government are going at the moment with their destruction permits and the other problems wombats have to face is that if we continue down this path, in a very short period of time, these animals are going to be… endangered.”

WAO is the largest rescue and rehabilitation operation for the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, and continues to be the frontline of defence and protection for SA’s much beloved emblem, but now out of time and out of funds, its necessary to literally put it to the universe and see which kind hearted folk and ethically minded companies of SA roll up their sleeves.

“I will not rest until all the little ones are out of harm’s way. I just can’t… I don’t know what to do this time”, she says softly.

Those keen to assist with donations https://www.chuffed.org/project/wombatssoontobehomeless may do so via the chuffed website. Those with property opportunities to lease or buy, or ethically aware companies keen to sponsor Wombat Awareness can do so via http://wombatawareness.com/

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wombat-Awareness-Organisation/153222788044636 .
Lou Ridsdale, Lance Rock Publicity