Rare golden wombat born at Ballarat Wildlife Park

A wildlife park has welcomed its newest arrival – complete with a rare gene that’s sure to make it one of the park’s biggest attractions.

A Victorian wildlife park has been blessed with a rare new attraction after one of the park’s wombats gave birth to a striking golden joey.

The golden wombat is the result of a rare gene in southern hairy-nosed wombats.

The new golden wombat, named “Honey Bun”, was born at Ballarat Wildlife Park to mum Nulai and dad Willy.

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The rare golden wombat with her mother Nulai. Picture: Instagram/Julia Leonard

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The light-coloured wombats aren’t commonly found in the wild and it’s thought their lighter colour could make them easier to spot by predators like wild dogs, dingoes, Tasmanian devils and eagles.

When the wildlife park announced the birth on Instagram and called for name suggestions, many followers on social media suggested “Nugget”, as a reference to Ballarat’s gold-digging history.

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The wombat was born at Ballarat Wildlife Park. Picture: Instagram/Ballarat Wildlife Park

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Ballarat Wildlife Park curator Julia Leonard told the Daily Mail workers at the zoo were surprised to see the golden wombat emerge from its mother’s pouch a few months ago, even joking a local tree kangaroo may have paid a night-time visit to Nulai.

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Honey Bun has caused excitement among the park’s keepers. Picture: Instagram/Ballarat Wildlife Park

The colour is cause by a rare gene. Picture: Instagram/Ballarat Wildlife Park

“She’s got heaps of attention since her mum started taking her out for exercise. All the keepers are buzzing around her and it’s very exciting,” Ms Leonard said.

There are now 10 wombats at the park including the southern hairy-nose wombat and a larger contingent of bear-nosed or “common” wombats.

Ms Leonard has predicted busy weekends ahead as crowds come to get a glimpse of the newest wombat and her striking gold coat.