OUR WORK

Wombats

From Rescue To Release, We’re Helping Hunter Wombats Return To The Wild

Hunter Wildlife Rescue plays a vital role in caring for sick, injured, and orphaned wombats across the Hunter region. Our work spans a large area, with much of our wombat rescue and rehabilitation focused in and around the Hunter Valley, where these iconic marsupials are most at risk from vehicle collisions, mange, and habitat loss. Behind every rescue stands a dedicated team of trained wildlife carers, supported and guided by the expertise of wombat specialist Judith Hopper. Together, this network of passionate volunteers and experts ensures that each wombat receives the highest standard of care, from urgent rescue to long-term rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.

Corporate Partnerships Newcastle Charity Wildlife Conservation Support

“Few animals shape the land the way wombats do. Their powerful digging turns over the soil, drawing hidden nutrients to the surface and creating space for seeds and organic matter to settle and grow. Every burrow they build becomes part of a larger ecosystem, offering refuge to countless native species and even shielding them from introduced predators. Yet despite the essential role they play, wombats are under threat. Mange disease, shrinking habitat, collisions on our roads, and the pressures of a changing climate are driving numbers down and putting their future at risk.”

Judith Hopper – Wombat Coordinator
Hunter Wildlife Rescue

Our Work

Wombat Rescue

Rescuing wombats injured on roads, farms, and bushland.

Mange Treatment

Fighting mange to give wombats a chance at survival.

Orphans

Giving orphaned wombat joeys the chance to grow and thrive.

Wombats In Care

Helping wombats heal before a safe release back to nature.

Our Team

Our teams are our most important resource.  Within our area there are five high density areas for wombats.  So, we have a dedicated team in each area, a specialist team of orphan carers and a mobile team (passionate wombat people who can move to assist any team or help with the transport of a wombat).  The team starts with you making the call to alert us to a wombat in need.  Each wombat area has its own Team Leader and Team to treat mange, rescue and transport wombats from within their area.

How you can help

You can help save a life and make a real difference for wildlife across the Hunter region.

Report

Report A Rescue

Report injured, sick or orphaned wildlife.

Call 0418 628 483

Become A Volunteer

Step up for wildlife and volunteer with us.

Register Now

Donate To Help

Every dollar saves lives. Donate today.

Donate here

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about helping wombats? Learn what to do, how to help, and where to get support here.e

Wombats are a protected species. Harming a wombat or its home is cruel and illegal, with penalties of up to $12,000 in fines and/or six months in jail.

Call Hunter Wildlife Rescue on 0418 628 483 immediately. Do not try to move the wombat yourself.

No. Adult wombats are strong and can injure you. Always wait for a trained rescuer.

If safe, check the pouch for a joey. If none, move the body off the road to prevent further accidents, or call us for help.

If safe to do so, gently check the pouch with gloves or a cloth. If you find a joey, keep it warm in a wrap and call us straight away.

About 80% of our work with wombats is in the Cessnock LGA around Wollombi, Laguna, Quorrobolong, Mount View and we also do a lot of work in the Singleton LGA.

The Latest From Our Wombat Team