New baby wombat for Paradise Country on the Gold Coast

The cutest new critter at Paradise Country needs a name — what’s your suggestion?

IT’S time to play the name game for Paradise Country’s cutest new critter.

The nine-month-old northern hairy-nosed wombat has just arrived at the Gold Coast animal park, which will today launch a naming competition.

People can visit the Paradise Country Facebook page and vote for their favourite option from Mayzie, Dozy, Karri and Wattle.

The new baby wombat at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast needs a name.

Pictures: Nigel Hallett

Orphaned as a tiny pinkie — the name given to infant wombats before they develop fur, the joey is now a healthy five kilograms and is settling in to her new home, a specially-built habitat.

Paradise Country curator of wildlife Deane Jones said the joey was an exciting addition to the park after arriving from Darling Downs Zoo.

“She is a very sweet and affectionate wombat who loves playing, but like most youngsters she is still spending a lot of her time sleeping,” he said.

“She currently spends her days developing her life skills under the watchful eyes of our keepers and is feeding on a specially designed nutritional diet including pellets, grass, sweet potato and wombat milk formula.”

The wombat will serve as an ambassador for her wild counterparts. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The cute little wombat will join Paradise Country’s Save A Mate Program as an ambassador for her wild counterparts and help raise awareness and conservation efforts for Australian wildlife.

With less than 250 northern hairy-nose wombats remaining today, they are one of Australia’s most endangered mammals.

Originally published as New baby wombat for Paradise Country on the Gold Coast