Who We Are
The Wombat Awareness Organisation (WAO) is a non-profit charity specialising in the rescue, rehabilitation and advocacy of the unique, amazing and gorgeous Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat. We focus on conserving and protecting wild wombats whilst supporting a 24-hour rescue and rehabilitation centre within the largest and only free-range, cage-free wombat sanctuary.
Based in the Adelaide Hills, WAO was founded and has been proactive in the wombat community since 2006. As an independently funded organisation, WAO relies solely on the kindness of others who wish to join our mission to save the Southern Hair-Nosed Wombat.
Saved 10,000+
Wombats
We have saved over 10,000 wombats since our commitment to rescuing and rehabilitating these wonderful creatures.
Supporting 1800+
Wombats Per Year
Each year through donations and volunteers, we are able to support over 1800 Southern Hairy-Nose Wombats.
We Care For Up To 90 Wombats At Any One Time
We have the resources and ability to care for up to 90 wombats at one time, providing a safe environment for them.
Revegetation Programs
For Their Survival
Revegetation programs are put in place to ensure the survival and conservation of our wombats and habitat.
Meet Our Wombats
Learn how you can help
Register Your Interest for Our Next Induction Day!
How You Can Help
Find out more about our sanctuary and how we care for these amazing animals!
Our Projects
How We Can All Coexist
Although wombats are native to Australia, the are often referred to as pests by landholders and the farming community due to their burrows. To help ease the conflict between man and wombat, WAO began assisting landholders to establish viable, non lethal management methods. The least invasive the better!Wombats are easy to live with when they […]
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is a mite that burrows under the skin causing immense irritation. Every single wombat that has mange, will die unless treated. The mite is believed to be introduced to Australia via the European Red Fox however there is no doubt in our minds that wombats succumb to mange only when stressed. We see […]
Drought Relief
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat inhabits semi-arid to arid environments almost exclusively in South Australia. They live in some of the driest areas, in the driest state in the driest country in the world. Subsequently, they are sensitive to climate change and any extreme weather patterns. Drought has a catastrophic effect on wombat populations. Overgrazing from […]
I've been rescuing animals since I was five years old! I used to drive my parents crazy always finding sick animals in my path.
You would think after 44 years of love and loss, I'd have grown some immunity to their passings.
My mum would say I was their 'stairway to heaven' and they wanted to leave this earth in the highest vibration of unconditional love. I understand but it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
I still cry like a baby each and every time.
I don't believe in putting my feelings onto the wombats. I don't feel it's fair for them to feel my burdens. But, two girls in particular don't listen to my nonsense and they come from nowhere to keep me company when it's dark and I can't sleep.
Sue visited and cuddled me several times during the night but Beep stayed in my arms all the way through.
These girls show me such kindness and compassion.
Animals are so pure and the older I get, the more I find myself spending time with them and nature rather than listening to the riff-raff of the world.
I'm so grateful to each and every one of these darlings and especially you, Beep ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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Those words are so beautiful. I agree, when you look at the state of the world at the moment, who wouldn't chose animals and their loyalty ❤️❤️💕
That face… I know what you mean. 😢 I cried for little Muffin. Poor little souls. They need more special people like you to step up , protect and care for them Take care of yourself 🥰
Animals are such kind loving compassionate creatures, they are just so pure. I'm glad they have you, and I'm glad you have them.
Animals are incredible souls. Sue and Beep knew you needed a little extra love.
There is no immunity to a loved one who's lost, that includes precious animals who deserve a happy healthy life. I am thankful for all that you do, courageous and selfless kindness. 🙏❤️
The fact that you still cry over each loss only goes to show you're still a compassionate soul, and your mum was so right with her words. Unfortunately these days there are a lot of people who don't seem to have a decent bone in their body. No wonder we love our animals and their unconditional love. Your connection with Sue and Beeper must be so strong. What wonderful girls to come with their love and comfort. Take care of yourself and thank you for all you do for those precious wombies. 💗
Oh sweet Beeper and Sue, how we love you 😍 💋 ❤️. Animals are all angels, l always love your sweet updates about Beeper and sweet Sue. Im in awe and envious of your way of life with these beautiful animals. I just so very grateful you have the courage to face everything that gets thrown at you. It's those special moments that make the hardtimes easier ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
I feel the same way unfortunately I'm not in the position to help, wish I could help. I love animals so much.
Such precious gentleness. I hope how she's holding your arm. She's telling you how much you are loved and how very special you are. 🥰❤
So very sorry to hear Muffin didn't make it - she passed being cared for and loved thank goodness, rather than cold and alone and in pain. Thank goodness Sue and Beep could show you the same kindness and love you shower on all these precious ones when you needed it most ❤
The world is such a better place with good people like you!!! Can you imagine if our furry friend's didn't have good people like you that love and care for them.....Thank you and much much respect. I am not where I can but I do my best to help an animal when I can.... Get a turtle across the road... Or call for a sick bird. Take plastic out of the water for our water friend's..... so hope more and more people will get on the band wagon and just go for it.....We all need to take care of them....🐭🐰🐮🐧🐥🫏🦀🐬🦈🐘🦏🦒🐆😊
Animals have senses we don’t have. They ask for so little - yet they give us so much - and they never stop giving. 🥰 Bless them 💖💖 love snuggles
I agree with everything you said, these beautiful animals of what ever variety give unconditional love, and it’s so hard to understand why the human kind can be so hurtful,we have invaded their world taken their space so we must learn to live alongside them with care and understanding, or there will be no wildlife for future generations.
Beautiful beeper such a gentle soul who gives love unconditionally. 🥰 just love her. Xx
So very sorry to hear about Muffin 💔 She was safe and warm, which was so much more than how she would have died if she didn’t have you. Animals bring us so much joy, but also heartache when they leave us 💔
They are such innocent babies filled with love! May God bless you for all your efforts in caring for these innocent souls. ❤️
They knew you needed some love and cuddles. I would be exactly the same losing any animal, heck I even cry watching animal programs on the telly. The world needs more kind hearted animal lovers like you ♥️
I agree with everything you've said, the older I get the more I feel this way ❤ Animals are the true innocents of this world.
Your mother? Brilliant!! Even though you wish otherwise, you are a stairway to heaven, carrying your beloved sweethearts in the arms of unconditional love and delivering them to a final peace. They know it. They show it. Unconditional love travels both ways.❤️
They do bring such unconditional love and try their best to comfort us. They understand so much more than most ppl give them credit for
We all need love. My little dog responds to the cuddles everyday. I tell him every day I love him and I see in his reaction he understands what I mean. I am a cancer patient and there are days I am tired and worn out. He jumps onto our bed then lays along side me pressing his little body against me. He knows I need his unconditional love and his comfort. What you are doing is amazing and I know the universe appreciates everything you are doing with these beautiful creatures. Bless you 👏🏼
Thank you for you wonderful dedication & deep love for wombats. What precious creatures they are! Take care, Sue & Beep, stay well & be happy! Big hugs to you both! 💜💜💜💜💜
So true! With animals “what you see is what you get” there is never any deviousness and they deserve all the love and respect we as selfish humans should give them. It’s special humans like you who go above and beyond 🥰
You are a very special person, and your wombat babies recognise that too. Bless you for the work you do, and your devotion. If only there were more people like you in the world. ❤
It's amazing that some animals seem able to empathise with us and know when we need a bit of extra tlc. These wombats are returning the care that you gave to them. I guess that to them you are 'mum' and they feel a strong bond with you. Sue and Beep are precious girls.🩷🩷
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*Update* We were finally able to get a temperature on Muffin so we took her in to see Dr Sophie. Even though she was so much brighter, she unfortunately passed away on the table leaving us absolutely heartbroken. Sorry darling girl, just too late to save you 😭💔
We are slowly warming up this beautiful girl who was rescued this morning.
A lovely couple found her huddled in a ball on one of their walking tracks on their property. She is frozen cold and so thin.
They were able to walk straight up to her, pick her up and carry her all the way home. She may be skeletal but she is a large girl, it was no easy feat to carry her so far. But they did amazingly to save a precious life.
She was barely conscious from hypothermia when we collected her but, as we slowly warm her bones, she is far more responsive. We always hold them in hope.
Caring for these emaciated sweethearts is an emotional roller-coaster, especially the next ten days of refeeding. But, the reward at the end greatly outweighs my anxiety.
Welcome to a whole new world Muffin. We love you so much ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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*Update* We were finally able to get a temperature on Muffin so we took her in to see Dr Sophie. She unfortunately passed away on the table leaving us absolutely heartbroken. Sorry darling girl, just too late to save you 😭💔
*Update* We are still warming Muffin up. She's only just feeling 'not frozen' now after 4 hours. We can give her nothing until her body warms up. Hoping she will feel much better by tonight 🤞 Intravenous fluids can't be used on such a cold body. Come on sweetheart 🙏
Look at that sweet face, Muffin you were so fortunate to be found by such a kind couple and even more fortunate to be with your rescuers who will do everything possible to get you well again and take care of you with so much love ❣️ 🤗🥰🐶🐾
I'm always amazed that these 'wild' animals can be so passive when taken into human care. I acknowledge that they are desperately ill, but do they get fiesty as they get well? Seems to me that they make beautiful companions. Wished I lived closer to wombat territory.
Prayers and love for Muffin sweet girl. ❤️❤️
Can you explain why this keeps happening. Is their habitat being compromised?
Poor baby…. Thank goodness those people saved her…
I hope all goes well & Muffin fully recovers! She is in the best place for that to happen.❤️
Is there anything other than the colder weather that causes such serious hypothermia?? Poor little soul 💔
Why do they get skinny ? We have a lot of healthy wombats on our place but now and then there will be a skinny one, is it mange or old age ? There is plenty of feed so it’s not that . Wombats are my ❤️ animals.
Aww beautiful muffin I’m praying for you x
Is that yummy carrot soup all over that sweet, kissable nose? 💖💖💖
Bless you for all your love and devotion to these amazing creatures I will continue to watch the progress of all you care for thank you 💕
Wishing Miss Muffin a full recovery and blessings to her rescuers. Do you know why she is so thin?
I really don’t know how you keep doing what you do! So heartbreaking mourning the ones you lose then so rewarding the One’s you save! Thank you! 💕
How blessed to be found and at the Rescue, Muffin. Good luck sweets. Sending you all huggs.
Please please pull through muffin… Thank you to all involved im saving her.. I hope she makes a full recovery and lives a long happy healthy life
Sending best wishes for Muffin.Hope she soon recovers.I'm sure with your care,love & dedication she will make it through.Thankyou so much for taking care of these special animals.🐻❤️
Praying Muffin feels better when she is warmed up. I’m sure this is a very critical time for her. If anyone can get her better it’s you! Come on Muffin girl you can pull through this. ❤️🙏❤️
What a wonderful couple 🙌🏻 please let Muffin be okay 🤞🏻 her face is adorable ❤️
Come on Muffin , you can do it, you're in such good hands now, loving and nurturing you, God bless you and your wonderful carers and rescuers ❤️
Welcome Muffin to safety, Blessings to the couple who rescued her sending her love and hugs xxx 💖🤗
I’m so saddened to hear this terrible news. Thank you for comforting her in her last hours with love and compassion. My sincere condolences. May she rest in peace 🙏✨
Aww poor little girl! Thank goodness there are such lovely caring people out there who rescued her hopefully just in time. Hopefully you can work your magic and bring her back to life. She’s got a whole new world waiting for her. Come on sweet Muffin we’re all rooting for you 🥰
A big muffin! I'm glad that couple had the courage to bring her home. You reintroduce them to food slowly just like my human patients? My preemies had to be fed every 3 hours. Hard work especially if you had 3-4 to feed.
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Since I noticed signs of Connie having cognitive problems, I've been encouraging her to spend more time outside.
We have transformed the lives of so many wombats with head trauma just by providing support in a natural environment.
Physically, she has done incredibly well. This video is the difference from day 2 to day 19 and her first visit to a burrow.
In the wild, she was living in bales of hay, her nails were really long and I think she had been there a while.
I have a half acre area off my room which has two sheltered burrows, loads of trees and grass and direct access to come home for her bottles of soup. She thinks she's in heaven and I'm certain she is going to make a full recovery 🙏❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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WOW What a difference a few weeks have made to Connie .You lady's really are incredible. I hold my breath sometimes & wonder if this wombat's will make it thru the night then look at them week's later & they are transformed.
What a FANTASTIC update!! Thank you for this latest and precious save!! Well done!!!!!
This is the most wonderful result of your determination to get Connie better. Couldn’t be more grateful to you for your compassion to her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I look forward to seeing updates of her progress🙏💙
My God she literally has transformed with your love and help. Good is prevailing. Thank you so much for sharing and caring and loving these animals.
The transformation in her in such a short time is incredible all due to your love and dedication to these beautiful babies. 🩷
What you have been able to do ...is Amazing...and absolutely due to your love and dedication...you never cease to amaze me ❤...Much love to this dear girl and her will to survive ❤
Wonderful transformation 😍 Fingers crossed for her full recovery. Thx for your unbelievable efforts.
It's great to see how much weight she's gained since she was rescued! I'm so glad that she is now leading a happier life in your care with access to a burrow and safe outdoor space. 🩷
She looks so much better! Especially around her hip bones. Well done.🧡
Bless her! So pleased she’s doing so well. His exciting for her to venture outside and start being a real wombat again. You have the healing touch. So very grateful as I’m sure Connie is too! 🥰
Wow the change in weight is phenomenal. Thank you for taking such great care of her.
Such a huge difference! Even though she still looks a little thin, her first videos/photos were painful to look at. You have done such an amazing job with her. Bless you for your love and dedication 💖🥰.
Such wonderful work you do. Thank you for your dedication to these beatiful animals.
Wow! She is looking so good! I hope she continues enjoying her best life in your very capable hands. Thank you for the work you do. I know it is a labor of love and comes with a lot of heartbreak. The World is watching, and I hope these sweet babies can one day have more laws of protection from the government.
Connie’s looking good 😊 Thank you Wombat Awareness for the loving care you give to all our precious wombats .You guys are amazing ,bless all of you 🙏❤️💚💜💙
She’s very fortunate to have you! Love these updates
You are a wombat angel taking care of all these beautiful babies. Are connie's babies doing as well as she is doing. Im glad she loves her soup because she looks amazing and has come a long way with all your love and dedication. I cant thank you enough for what you do for the love and care you put into all these precious babies
Oh sweet little Connie you have come along way, keep accepting all the love and healing that you deserve. ❤️
She’s looking brilliant ! You’re both superstars, and all those involved behind the scenes!!
She looks amazing!! Another little miracle. ❤🥰
She’s looking wonderful….well done for giving her such amazing care and commitment 🥰👍🏻
Ok now you’ve made me cry. It’s wonderful that she’s doing so well and I wish you every blessing (I don’t believe in god but there are nature’s blessings) for the good you do. Would you give her a little pat, or a scritch under the chin, whatever she likes, from me?
She is such a little sweetheart. Glad she is doing better.
She is filling out nicely. She looks healthier. I love her brindle colored coat. She's a beautiful lady💖
Thank you from me & thank you from precious Connie (I’m sure she would say THANKS if she could). ❤️❤️
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Last night, little Oliver let me see him outside for the very first time!
Oliver is one of the orphans rescued late last year. You can see that he is still tiny even though he eats a mountain of food!
Oliver spends lots of time with me inside, often asking to be tucked into bed. But, outside, his wild instincts are still so strong and I never see him!
I was thrilled to bits, even if it was just a fleeting minute!
I often think what a different life he leads here at the sanctuary. There's nothing to eat out in the wild. Oliver came starving and frail and even in the driest Feb-April period in 110 years, and, more wombats in care than ever, we still have an abundance of grass.
I wish every wombat in need got to live here! ... See MoreSee Less
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I don't remember how I ended up here, but I've been watching your page for a few years or so. I've never met a wombat. Didn't know one thing about them. Now I do, and my life will not be complete until I somehow get to meet and snuggle a wombat.
I wish I could win the lottery & I’d buy you more land for our beautiful wildlife to safely live on 🙏
Living the life of Riley! He has the best of both worlds at his command doesn't he. It never fails to amaze me how easily you tell them all apart! 💙🥰
Sweet little man! How adorable is he. Love the name Oliver, fits him well.
Bless this little guy! You know, I was raised in Victoria for some of my childhood, in the 1970s, then returned to England. But I never experienced drought there, and in UK we have more than enough water and the water companies waste it! We have no idea what starvation and thirst really are. Humans have completely disturbed the weather on the planet, and drought and flood affects so many creatures so badly. It is heartbreaking even thinking about it, yet you live with it and do all you can to feed the poor wildies. Bless you Earth Angels. We must All visualise a better world and send out these thoughts as energy..
Love your videos. Little Oliver - Clever baby - so sweet
He’s so cute, so happy he can be outside and in a safe place❣️🥰🐶
Indeed...the JOY of seeing an incare wombie thrives in its natural habitat must be worth all the hard work n lack of sleep!!! SO HAPPY to see lush green grass despite the current drought in SA!!
Such a sweet boy. Thank you for all you do, so selfless ❤️
Thank you for saving the precious wombats. You do an amazing job.
How wonderful! Such a great thing you do for these amazing little animals.
Wee Oliver wanted to show off his wombie ways. What a sweetie!
Oliver looks so healthy.💙 He is so lucky to be in the sanctuary along with other rescued wombats. If only there were more safe places for wombats in Australia. I can't imagine there being no grass for wild wombats to eat as here in the UK grass is plentiful. Sadly climate change is making things worse and humans keep encroaching on animals territories.😢 It makes me sad that so much suffering is going on but it's lovely to see the ones that you care for leading a happy life. Thank you for your hard work.❤️
He looks wonderful!! Oliver has come a long way in a year 💕🩷
So do I you do such a good job not just feeding them but showing them love 🥰
They are so adorable and always bring a smile to my face ❤️
What a gem, these moments must bring so much joy & pride?
Yes I do too soo beautiful little Oliver did u have any luck with your overnight vigil
Oliver is such a beautiful boy
He is so beautiful. Thank you for loving him.
So very lucky to have the sanctuary and such caring people
Can I ask how you know who is who as to me they all look alike. Love the work you do with these gorgeous animals.
Oliver looks great, he's fit as are all your wards. I remember you stated you average 4-5 hours sleep, hope you can get more, you're a workhorse and these lads are lucky to be in your care!
The best part is listening to you sweet talk the little darlings.
So heartwarming! Thank you for all you do to help these sweet animals!❤️❤️❤️
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