31/12/2025
How good is it to have your own doctor in the Wombat Creek family!
Samuel Wälterlin, freshly minted doctor, performed an emergency caesarean section on a deceased mum, just down the road from Wombat Creek. He saw the dead animal lying on the street. It had obviously been hit by a car. Dozens of other vehicles had passed the animal without stopping. This sadly is so often the case in where for many people seems to be nothing more than vermin.
Samuel however stopped. He could see some movement by or in the animal. And indeed, when looking at the dead wombat closer he discovered the little feet of a joey protruding from her mother’s pouch.
Just as a reminder for our overseas members: like kangaroos and wallabies do, wombats also have a pouch where they carry and feed their young. However, because wombats live underground and dig a lot, their pouch actually faces backwards, so it doesn't get contaminated with soil. Smart ‘ey?
Anyway, Samuel then cut open the pouch with a pair of scissors and retrieved the animal. Thankfully, the baby was uninjured and therefore has great prospect of surviving in good care. This sadly is not always the case. We immediately informed the wombat coordinator of the wildlife rescue organisation , which came and took over the care of the baby.
Samuel is now looking after the baby under the supervision of Wires, feeding her with milk specially formulated for wombats.
This is a fantastic outcome of an otherwise sad event that could have ended even worse. In such situations, time is of the essence. Baby animals can die within a short time when exposed to the elements after their mother had been hit.
So, if you see an animal on or near the road that looks as it had been freshly killed, please check for joeys. If you find one call your local animal rescue service. In New South Wales you can contact on 1300 094 737
Wollondilly Wombat Watch
Wombat Awareness Organisation
About Wombats
Wombat Rescue
Native Australian Wombats
BerlinWombats BerlinerWombats
