X-rays silence myth that's devastating iconic Aussie wombats
True or false? Wombats are so stocky they can brush off being lightly clipped by a car?
If you answered true, unfortunately you’ve been suckered into believing an old Australian myth that wombats are “built like tanks”, and able to withstand a minor strike.
Frustrated by the all-too-common site of maimed wombats across the ACT, wildlife rescuer Yolandi Vermaak is urging drivers who hit an animal to stop when safe and see if it needs help.
“They think it's almost okay (not to stop), especially if the wombat isn't dead,” she told Yahoo News Australia.
“Often they will run away and it looks like they’re fine, but they’ve actually broken a leg.
“They never have no broken bones, it’s always broken legs, a broken jaw, a broken back, or broken ribs.”
Wombats can lie paralysed on the roadside for days
Images shared to social media show just how vulnerable wombats are to collisions, particularly if the motorist is speeding.
While a dead wombat shown in one image shows little sign of injury on the outside, X-rays later revealed almost every bone in his body was broken.
Even if a wombat looks like its dead, Ms Vermaak said there’s one very important reason drivers should stop to avoid unnecessary suffering.
“A few times I’ve found them lying on their backs, and you see a slight movement of the ears or their paws, and you realise they're still alive,” she said.
“Because they can't get back on their feet from paralysis, they can lie there for days.”
Tiny wombat survivor a reason to stop and check pouches
Female wombats will often be carrying a joey in their pouch, and if help is not rendered, they will often slowly be eaten alive by predators.
“What happens to them is firstly they’re exposed to the elements, then comes the ants, and they love the little ones because their skin is soft,” Ms Vermaak said.
“Then comes birds, and they love the eyes, they pick out their eyes, then comes foxes, so it's horrific.”
If rescued, joeys can often be rehabilitated by carers who volunteer their time to help wildlife.
A tiny wombat named Poppet, who was rescued in November, now has velvety fur and a good chance of being released when she grows up.
“Her mum was hit by a car and she was badly injured,” Ms Vermaak said.
“It was just blood and guts all over the road.
“It was pretty severe, but someone still thought to stop and check and Poppet was completely unharmed, despite her mum being so badly mangled and dead.”
Wombat Rescue can assist with injured animals in the ACT and WIRES can be contacted for wildlife help in NSW.
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