George the Wombat to leave Australian Reptile Park, heading back to the wild

HE’S racked up more than 50 million views with his antics, but the “world’s most famous wombat” is leaving a life of fame behind him.

George’s videos have amassed more than 50 million views. Source: Supplied.

GEORGE is anything but your average wombat.

He has built up a formidable online career — with 50 million video views — which led him to be named “Australia’s Most Adorable Animal” in an Experience OZ poll.

But bittersweet news has emerged from his adopted home at The Australian Reptile Park this morning, as it was announced that it was time for the “world’s most famous wombat” to return to the wild.

The cute critter shot to fame last year when videos of him bonding with the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary’s general manager Tim Faulkner went viral — with clips reaching millions of views worldwide.

Fans will have until mid-January to see George at The Australian Reptile Park

George even has his own Facebook page — which gained over 6000 followers in just three months. The plaudits kept rolling in, when Tourism Australia and Qantas judged his videos to be the best promotion for Australia in the past year.

However, his imminent release means this summer will be the last chance to see George in the wombat enclosure. He will be leaving the park in mid-January.

“We are going to miss George so much but he is now ready for release. George has always been so adorable in the eyes of staff at The Australian Reptile Park, so it was fantastic that the rest of the world also saw him as we do!” said Mr Faulkner.

“We are sending him to Cedar Creek Wombat Sanctuary to run free and make lots of wombat friends.

“George’s fame was a huge help to Australian wildlife as he was an ambassador for the species.

Both Barnaby Joyce and George have had an eventful year. Picture Gary Ramage/ News Corp Australia

“It is so important for Australians and international audiences to see just how glorious our native wildlife is — we are faced with the fastest mammal extinction rate in the world and Australian wildlife needs this kind of exposure to help people fall in love with wildlife so they can join us by helping protect it. George has helped put wombats on the map.”

George came to The Australian Reptile Park after a heartbreaking start to life.

When still in the pouch, his mum was hit and killed by a car. Thankfully a passer-by discovered him and he was taken to the Australian Reptile Park where Mr Faulkner became his new fill-in family, providing him with the milk he needed and the cuddles he craved.

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