Wombat group to take action in bid to stop legal killing of healthy animals

TASMANIA’S growing band of wombat warriors are preparing to rally in a bid to stop the State Government from issuing permits to shoot any of the marsupials that are healthy.

TASMANIA’S growing band of wombat warriors are preparing to rally in a bid to stop the State Government from issuing permits to shoot any of the marsupials that are healthy.

Sarcoptic mange is sweeping through the state’s wombat population and the Government last year put up $100,000 to help track the species, develop new treatments and help community volunteers in their fight to save sick animals.

But culling permits are still being issued to landowners to shoot healthy wombats. It is understood there are 22 active permits to shoot wombats in Tasmania.

None is in the West Tamar where the mange crisis started.

Earlier this year, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced three permits in that area had been cancelled.

The Wombat Warriors group will present a petition with almost 3000 signatures calling on the Government to stop issuing the permits.

“Relocation not extermination along with sanctuaries and treatment is the answer,” Wombat Warrior John Harris said.

Mr Rockliff said the statewide wombat population was not endangered.

“In fact statewide numbers have generally increased between 1985 and now,’’ he said.

“However, the Government recognises that the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in wombats is unusually high in a localised area of the West Tamar. That is why in March the Government announced a $100,000 program to support further research and monitoring to address wombat mange, and we have also revoked all existing crop protection permits for wombats in this area.

“DPIPWE has tightened the process to ensure a crop protection permit for wombats is only considered as a method of last resort.”

At Bayview Bush Babies sanctuary in Swansea there are three wombats in care that are almost ready to be released after being cured of mange.

Marcia Harvey-Bird, chief investigator at the sanctuary, said a new natural mange remedy was being trialled at the facility.

“Initial trials were successful. Since then we have acquired all the required Tasmanian Government permits,” she said.

Four enclosures are being built for adult wombats undergoing treatment along with juvenile pens. When the enclosures pass Animal Ethics Committee inspection the scientific project will begin in earnest.

The rally will be held on October 7 from 11am-12.30pm.