Portee Station Conservation Project

Wombat Awareness Organisation, working in conjunction with Wombat Protection Society of Australia (WPSA) and the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund, to secure property for Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat conservation

Please donate today and help us secure a 17 000 acre portion of Portee Station to protect its huge resident wombat population and ensure the continuation of the only rescue and rehabilitation program for the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.

The Wombat Awareness Organisation is the only organisation in the world specialising in the rescue of Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). With the combining factors of the drought, Sarcoptic Mange, vehicular incidents and culling attempts, there are always wombats in need of care and the demand for our services is extremely high.

Legislation in South Australia does not allow the release of wombats that are either hand raised or require long term care; due to loss of territory, the unknown social behaviour of the species and the continuation of imminent threats. The most obvious problem for WAO is the over-saturation of unreleasable wombats. For long term viability of the rescue and rehabilitation program solutions need to be found. Research into survival rates of relocated and rehabilitated wombats, wide scale & non invasive mange management and drought relief is vital to the future of the species and to the program.

An area safe from wombat unfriendly landowners and roads, to develop these research programs with onsite housing facilities and a rehabilitation centre is our ideal solution. Wombat habitat in South Australia is of poor monetary value, due to usually remote locations and low annual rainfall (150-500mm per annum). The benefit of this are that large portions of land can be acquired at inexpensive rates. Through inviting and involving the greater community to ‘purchase’ (donate the funds) per acre, we aim to achieve a sense of personal contribution and awareness of conservation. As WAO provides all community services free of charge we are hoping for the greater community to help us continue this vital operation.

WAO has found such a property to embark on as the initial community acquisition; Portee Station.

Portee Station is a large parcel of land with extreme potential for furthering conservation of the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat and a multitude of other wildlife species including 133 species of birds. Its significance is not only its size and habitants but its connection to the established sanctuaries: Moorunde Wildlife Reserve; Brookfield Conservation Park; and Yookamurra Sanctuary thus creating a perpetual refuge which will conserve numerous species of wildlife, the key being the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.

The difference between this conservation reserve and all others is that not just the habitat will be protected. The research to be undertaken will not just benefit resident wombats but relief will be offered to residing wombats. Just a few of the non-invasive research and relief projects that will be conducted are:

* In times of drought, water and food will be offered. As yet there has not been a definate method of drought relief as wombats do not readily accept supplementation.

* In times of mange outbreaks resident wombats will be cared for as wide scale non invasive treatment methods are explored, determined and implemented.

* Crops will be planted to determine wombat preferences to aid farmers in crop selection.

* Relief facilities for the return of rehabilitated wombats will always be available.

* Onsite research into natural 'burrow deterrents' will save the lives of thousands of wombats destined for culling

* Rescue and rehabilitation of resident wombats and protection of their burrows ensure a safe return

Throughout Portee’s rich history of sheep grazing, the land in an arid/semi-arid environment has much less vegetation than neighbouring reserves ; rejuvenation of this property will only benefit all of its inhabitants. Any introduction of research wombats will not overcrowd the depleted existing populations and will dramatically reduce the pressure placed upon the Wombat Awareness Organisation's rescue operations.

Portee Station showcases the typical terrain of the amazing Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat

Portee is located near Blanchetown SA on the banks of the beautiful River Murray and holds a rich history. Once the spiritual home of the Ngaiawang aboriginals, Portee Station is abundant with indigenous sites.