Wombat carers and conservationists have responded with dismay to last week’s confirmation by the Office of Environment and Heritage that it has closed the investigation into the shooting of wombats on the Heffernan farm near Candelo.
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Wombat Protection Society director Marie Wynan claimed the result was a repeat of past investigations.
“It’s heart-breaking to find out that yet again ‘the case is closed’,” Ms Wynan said. “Sadly, it’s the same every time.”
Ms Wynan has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of wombats from around her home near Glenbog State Forest, and compared the weight of authority applied to wombat carers and wombat killers.
“To rehabilitate, care or rescue Bare Nosed wombats in NSW you require a licence acquired by first becoming a member of a wildlife group, completing training courses, and close supervision by a coordinator or other experienced carer,” Ms Wynan said.
This is followed by 18 months of round-the-clock care, Ms Wynan said, as well as expensive facilities.
“But to legally kill wombats, all you need to do is to get a piece of paper from any OEH office, free of charge,” she said.
The debate regarding management of the Bare Nosed wombat – a protected Australian species – intensified with the involvement of Bega MP Andrew Constance, who described properties like “Swiss cheese” due to wombat burrows.
Potoroo Palace founder Alexandra Seddon was quick to respond.
“It’s excellent that Andrew Constance is concerned about taking care of our native animals,” Ms Seddon said.
“The problem (of a farm looking like ‘Swiss cheese’) will always happen if the shooting of wombats, with resulting chaos, continues.”
Ms Seddon said she hoped better understanding of the animals would prevail as future management’s decided.
“The Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) was lost as a result of the erroneous idea it was to blame for lamb deaths,” Ms Seddon said.
“It was found that it only ever took dead or sick lambs.