Wombat joey rescued from mum's pouch on Tasmanian roadside
A baby wombat has been rescued from its dead mother’s pouch in Tasmania, with video of the rescue quickly grabbing plenty of attention online.
FreeHearts Animal Sanctuary president Jodie Bradshaw spotted the baby wiggling inside the pouch of its mother, which had evidently been killed on the road.
In a video posted to the sanctuary’s Facebook page, Ms Bradshaw said she was not sure if the baby had survived because the mother appeared to have died up to 24 hours before her arrival.
“PLEASE if you see a dead Animal by the roadside, stop and check that there is not a baby in the pouch,” she wrote.
“I nearly didn't stop when I saw this wombat because it was obvious she had been dead for more than 24 hours and I didn't think there was any chance that a baby would still be alive.
“I was wrong and this little guy was slowly freezing to death.”
Ms Bradshaw said Tasmanian roads could be perilous for wildlife.
“Unfortunately Tasmania’s attitude to wildlife in general is very blase ... Tasmania in general for wildlife is atrocious for roadkill,” she said.
The joey has been taken to a wildlife expert for treatment.
The video posted to the FreeHearts Facebook page has been shared thousands of times, attracting close to a quarter of a million views since it was posted on Monday.
