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 …
It's been just over a week since this pair of littles were rescued and joined our sanctuary.
Rain, at the front, was found next to her Mum who was killed by a car and Oliver was found exhausted and dehydrated laying on the road.
The wild isn't a safe place for tiny orphans but these lucky babes are starting to realise that our world is a wonderful place β€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Aww, Too cute! πππ
Adorable
They are so sweet. I love the chomping sounds!
Oh you sweet little waddling potato souls. Know you are loved β€οΈ π₯ π₯
Monching machines in actionπ
Thank you for caring and doing so much.
What cute little babies
It's a sad world that they live in compacted buy humans floods and drought πͺ but so glad your all there taking in these absolutely beautiful souls β€οΈ
Yes their new world with in your sanctuary is a wonderful place for them both!β€οΈ
It's so amazing to see the journey to recovery for most of these sweeties.
They are safe now β€οΈ. That is a gorgeous rug.
They are so, so lucky to be cared for and loved by you!! β€β€β€
Beautiful little babies π₯°
Beautiful fluffy babies ππ
This is just cuteness overload π it is great to see them so relaxed and contented and looking so well β€β€β€
Little Oliver’s sores are healing so nicely! He’s the little guy that had bite marks from other wombats, correct? Both are angels! So perfect! π©·ππ©·π
Oh, how sad to see them like that. So glad they are with you now π₯°π
They are just gorgeous and they are in a safe and happy home. Bless you all πππβ€οΈππ
They are doing well. Wonderful
They are so sweet and adorable. And definitely some of the lucky ones. I know how much they are loved and treasured β€οΈππ₯°.
How wonderful there is a sanctuary for these little creatures and the other you rescue God bless your loving efforts of helping the hurt , sick and orphaned ππππβ£οΈβ£οΈ
Thank you for caring for these beautiful babies β€οΈπ
So cute
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They are both so cute and adorable.
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We've had a rough 24 hours with Nikerrial π
The lump under her chin kept on returning with a vengeance despite having a drain, being flushed and on antibiotics.
We originally booked her in for surgery yesterday for a lump that was developing on her shoulder but that was almost gone. All our attention was trying to clean up this seroma.
Dr Helene has taken and sent off samples, plus put on a pressure bandage, a new drain and Nikerrial is on intravenous antibiotics.
She had a rough anaesthetic and I had her next to me all night.
This morning, she was up and about bright eyed and polished off all of her carrot soup. She longs for her burrow and I keep promising her that soon. She really is a very strong and determined girl! The pressure bandage looks to be working and hopefully, she will continue to feel better.
Thank you so much for all of your love and wishes for this dear old darling, we appreciate them so much πβ€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Poor old lady Nikerrial. I hope you feel better soon, you are the toughest wombat & you have the very best of care. Sending love & hugs. πππ
Poor Ol Girl Nikerrial u is definitely havin a ruff trot. U r super lucky to have 2 super lovin Mums. That carrot soup must b the bomb!! Get well soon sweet girl
Sending love and hugs to her ππππ
Prayers for complete healing. So happy she is eating well. Sending lots of Hugs and Love. β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈππ»
Poor darling wombat. I hope she continues to recover. You guys do an amazing job. Thank you and God bless you all.
Hope all goes well, she is fortunate to have such a wonderful carer
Dear little Nikerrial, prayers for another good nights sleep for you both and a speedy recovery for this tuff little old lady ππ
Feel better soon little one x
We love you big girl, sending all our love β€οΈ
What a beautiful old soul she is, bless her π
Prayers on continuing healing, you can do it sweet girl β€
Sweet ol' gal. Heal well, dear one. What is the life expectency of a wombat? Hoping for Nikki to be on the far end of that spectrum!
Beautiful little Nikerrial πβ€οΈ Sending lots of healing prayers and love. Get well soon lovely girl ππβ€οΈβ€οΈ Thank you for caring for her β€οΈπΊ
Darling girl, sending lots of love and healing prayers for a speedy recovery π β€οΈ
Poor little mite, she really is having a tough time. Sending love and prayers darling Nikerrial β€β€β€πππ
Keep fighting beautiful girl, you are one of the lucky ones as you have angels looking after you ππππ
Bless her, and you for caring for her β€
Oh Bless her, Get Better soon x
Get better soon Nikerrial β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Bless her π I do hope she's feeling better soon β€οΈ
Hope this lovely girl is on the mend and back in her burrow very soon. β€β€β€
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Wombats are my most favourite animal ever <3
She is soooo cute, THAT nose, her Xmas present will be that she is fine and healthy, thanks to the fantastic care she is getting!
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We had to rush our dear old carrot mouthed matriarch, Nikerrial, in to see Dr Helene this afternoon as the lump on her chin quickly filled with fluid.
Surgery, a nip and tuck and a drain later and we were on our merry way home only to find another lump developing on her shoulder π We will be back in for surgery tomorrow afternoon.
Because of Nikerrial's age, her immune system isn't great, thankfully, her attitude is, as she remains as stoic as ever.
I keep on promising it will only be a few more days before she can go home to her burrow, but obviously, her body has other plans. Hopefully, this hiccup will be her last and she can go home soon π€ ... See MoreSee Less
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Nikerrial….this is a VERY tough way to get hugs ,kisses and attention!! Just give it your best pose and bat those eye lashes…..no one will ever resist those eyes and that smile!!! Wrap us all , around your little finger…you will get everything you want and more!!! ♥οΈ♥οΈ♥οΈ
Poor baby. She’s been through so much. Prayers she gets better fast! β€οΈππ»
Thank goodness for your constant vigilance. Bless you and thank you.πππππ₯π₯
Fingers crossed that she will be 100% soon. What a sweetheart she is ππΎπ
Dear old girl, bless her ππ
Aww poor Nikerrial. Hope you have a speedy recovery so you can go home to your beloved burrow. She's so beautiful ππ
Poor thing. Many prayers and healing love. β€οΈπβ€οΈπ
Best of luck again for tomorrow π
Bless her heart. Sending love to Nikerrial.β€
Love and prayers π β€οΈ
Poor darling Nikerrial, sending love and prayers and lots of love and hugsβ€β€β€πππ
Poor little Nikerrial. Love your carrot soup face, though. Hope you feel better soon. Your mums & Dr. Helene will take care of you. ππ
Aww sweet Nikerrial, get well soon beautiful girl π«Άπ©·
Big hugs glad you are ok π«π₯°π€©
Oh no! What kind of lump is it that can develop instantly π΅ She is SO BLESSED to have you care for her βΊοΈπ₯°
Best of luck to Nikerrial. Hugs & love π©΅
Oh no! I hope Nikerrial’s going to be OK. Bless her heart β€οΈβ€οΈπ©Ήππ€.
Such a precious girl ππ
♥οΈ
Shes a cutie
Stay strong little darling. πΎ
Hang in there sweety. I've asked the Goddess for special blessings just for you!
Bless her, I hope she improves quickly and can get back to her burrow soon. Xxβ€οΈβ€οΈ
What a great thing you’re doing. Good luck little Nikerrial π
ππΌ
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Our blind mouse, Alli, no longer comes on walks with me. Instead, she comes and goes from the house, to the burrow of our special needs sanctuary.
She comes home every night and tucks herself into her favourite bed. Well, every night except last night. I had seen her hanging around a dinky new burrow on the edge of our huge sheltered area. When she didn't come home, I panicked as the little burrow was overflowing with water during the deluge last night.
I stayed up bucketing water out of the burrow until Clare came down this morning and helped me build a makeshift shelter.
Silly me, Alli may be new to the sanctuary, she also may be blind and have brain damage but she is still smart enough to have bunkered down in one of the sheltered burrows. I must admit, I shed some tired, happy tears to see her dry and safe. She had a snack, a game and has tucked herself inside for an early night β€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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What a noble purpose in life you have! I wish I could join you. Thank you for taking care of these babies. It almost brings me to tears how wonderful the story is! Aloha to you and all the Wombats, οΏΌfrom Maui! πΊ
First of all, those munching sounds are the cutest! Second, when you went in for the close up, I love how she paused and began sniffing because she could tell something was different... Until she realized the smell was familiar. βΊοΈ "Oh, it's just you. Back to dinner!"
Oh thank goodness she's ok. Such a little smartie ππ
Motherhood, regardless of the species certainly can give you lots of night time anxiety when you’re unsure if your children are safe! Love seeing your journeys.
What a clever Alli, and relief for you ππππ¬π§
Thank goodness for that ,maybe you will be able to have a better deserved rest π
Who’s a clever girl?! Alli has survival skills! Now you know, after staying up all night bailing water.π¦
A terrible fright but with a very happy ending. π₯°
I cannot imagine your panic. Allie is so adorable. So happy she is safe.
Yes with animals we sure have some very stressful worrying times Ali is a very clever girl keeping dry you do an amazing job with them all so caring THANKYOU πππ
One smart little girl. β€β€β€
What a little cutie! Love the way she happily chomps away on her good and runs and jumps playfully. What an achievement for you! Thank you π
So relieved she’s OK. What a scare she gave you. π₯°
Oh dear, I do feel for you. You are overtired and stressed out with all the weather catastrophes on top of running the sanctuary.
She might be blind, but she's not silly! She's a big girl now apparently and will continue to do just fine living in your wonderful sanctuary. π
Glad that all's that ended well π€. Alli is so cute π.
Alli you are beautiful and so very clever.
Alli is a real sweetheart & we love her …. πππ
Clever little girl π₯°
I so love the zoomies & playfulness she shows. And clearly she has learned and adapted quickly.
Oh the relief. An emotional roller coaster for you. ππ₯²β€οΈ
Beautiful!
I am so happy that you that Alli is fine, but I can feel your concern. I have always thought Alli was going to be quite a smart little cookie. Love you Alliβ€β€β€
Glad the little fart was okay! Mom's can't help but worry.... Blessings to you for caring so muchβ€π
Such a clever girl. I can well imagine your fears when she didn’t return.π
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