Orphaned wombat Chloe’s unlikely new job at Taronga Zoo

TALK about earning your keep. An orphaned wombat named Chloe has started doing morning work rounds at Taronga Zoo. You have to see it to believe it.

Worker wombat ... Chloe on her morning rounds. Picture: Taronga Zoo.

TALK about earning your keep. An orphaned wombat named Chloe has started doing morning work rounds with one of its keepers she believes is her mum.

Chloe was rescued by a wildlife carer in June after her mother was killed by a car near Jenolan Caves. She was still alive inside the pouch, the joey was brought to Taronga Wildlife Hospital.

Chloe has begun following her Taronga Zoo keeper Evelyn Weston around the zoo as she cleans out enclosures and feeds breakfast to the other animals.

Helping out ... Chloe loves helping out surrogate mum, Evelyn Weston. Picture: Taronga Zoo.

There is little doubt that she views Ms Weston as her surrogate mother.

“It’s a natural behaviour and something Chloe would be doing with her real mother if she’d survived. Wombats stay with their mothers for up to two years, walking by their side until they’re old enough to fend for themselves,” Ms Weston said.

Following close behind ... Chloe and Evelyn Weston. Picture: Taronga Zoo.

Buddies ... Chloe is always a step behind Evelyn Weston. Picture: Taronga Zoo

Chloe will eventually be transferred to a wombat ‘halfway house’ where she’ll learn how to care for herself before being released back into the wild.

“She’s really learning how to be a wombat. Her paws are already toughening up and she’s quite happy digging about on her own,” Ms Weston said.