Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park evacuation: Wombats flown to safety

It’s the heartwarming rescue operation which saw two super-sized wombats airlifted to safety from the threat of bushfires. And there’s a specific reason why they were evacuated by air instead of on the road. See video of the operation.

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Two hefty wombats got the ride of their lives as part of the mass evacuation from a Calga wildlife park under threat of bushfires.

Aly the bear-nosed wombat and Hippo the southern hair-nosed wombat were snoozing the day away when they were rudely woken only to be jabbed by a needle and sent sky-high on Monday.

The pair were flown from the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park to Featherdale Wildlife Park where they will remain safe until the threat of bushfire ends.

Kevin Holme from Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue keeps a tight grip on Hippo. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Kevin Holme holds Hippo while the team prepare to sedate him for the chopper ride to safety. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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The surging fire from Gospers Mountain bushfire burning in Wollemi and Yengo National Parks north west of Gosford has forced the park to evacuate.

Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park owner Tassin Barnard said they weren’t mucking about, evacuating more than 100 animals over the past two days with around 100 to go.

The animals are spread throughout the Central Coast at wildlife carers homes as well as Follyfoot farm preschool.

“If we were pushed, we could get all the animals out in six hours,” Mrs Barnard said.

“But we don’t want to wait until the last minute, so we are spreading it out over a few days. The second they tell us the fires are here, it will be too late.”

The Gospers Mountain Fire is burning in the Yengo and Wollemi National Parks and headed towards the Central Coast. Picture Westleigh RFS

Emotions were running high at the park on Monday, with the stress of the wombat evacuation. Transporting wombats is not an easy task and taking a drive down the M1 was a risk nobody wanted to take with the large and incredibly strong creatures.

“It’s not worth getting stuck in traffic and the Valium wearing off,” Mrs Barnard said.

Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue owners Ros and Kevin Holme also volunteered to help with the trickiest part of the mission, sedating the 30kg creatures.

Hippo was not too happy about being woken from his sleep, and Aly had barely opened her eyes before she was back to sleep.

It was a team effort to get the wombats sedated and ready to fly out to the Featherdale Wildlife Park in preparation for the bushfire which the RFS say will come to the coast. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Wombat Aly from the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga, being carried by Gerald Barnard and Monika Corbett to be airlifted by helicopter this afternoon and taken to Featherdale Wildlife Park in preparation for the bushfire which the RFS say will come to the coast. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In was only a matter of chance that Sydney Helicopters Group came on board, after a tourist flight was cancelled due to the park evacuation.

Central Coast Wildlife Search and Rescue and Wildlife Arc carer Tracey Sullivan was quick to ask the question about transporting the furry residents.

“I got the call and was happy to help get these animals to safety,” Sydney Helicopter’s Group owner Mark Harrold said. “They are very unique passengers.”

Mrs Barnard shares a laugh with Mark Harold from Sydney Helicopters after the wombats were safely on-board. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rangers Lauren Cook (left) and Monika Corbett with Tassin Barnard (right) from the Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga prepare to take off. Picture: Jonathan Ng

As the helicopter took off, there were tears of joy and relief from volunteers and park rangers.

“Mark is an absolute hero,” Mrs Barnard said.

“It’s so satisfying to know we can get them to safety. We have had so much help and support, everyone is doing it for the animals. It’s a historic moment – the great wombat lift-off.”