Saturday, December 18, 2010

SOUTHERN HAIRY NOSE WOMBAT REPORT

Having been affiliated with the Wombat Awareness Organisation since its beginnings in 2007 I have followed its progress keenly. In early January of 2009, together with Kenton Campbell owner of Zarraffa's Coffee and dedicated conservationist I revisited the project in the arid Murraylands of South Australia.

Founded by Brigitte Stevens and Frank Mikula, the Wombat Awareness Organisation works within communities providing relief and rehabilitation to the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat now listed as a threatened species due to the persistent drought and the devastating effects of Sarcoptic Mange.

The influx of over 200 wombats within a 12 month period has instigated the construction of Australia’s first ‘Wombat Intensive Care Unit’. This 'ICU' is the only facility catering for the care of adult Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats and is an essential tool in this conservation effort. During our stay we worked on the construction of this unique, privately funded facility which is due to be officially opened in the coming months.
Funding is desperately needed to source essential specialised equipment such as customised housing, wombat bedding and recovery enclosures and to maintain the services this organisation is providing to conserve these beautiful animals.

--Bob

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