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 …
🌟 Introducing Posie, our newest rescue wombat! 🌟
Yesterday, one of our dear friends encountered this precious girl in the middle of the road. Both of Posie's eyes were clouded over, leaving her completely blind. Without hesitation, our friend scooped her up and drove her to meet another great friend of ours Jossie, who drove several hours to unite Clare with this little angel.
We've lovingly named her Posie, and her journey to recovery began immediately with a visit to Dr. Helene. While there's significant inflammation, the cause of her blindness remains a mystery. That won't stop us from providing Posie with a forever home.
At our sanctuary, we have the privilege of caring for many blind wombats who have made incredible adjustments to sanctuary life. All they need is a safe and protected environment. Posie, you are now part of our loving family, and we'll ensure you have the best life possible.
Stay tuned for updates on Posie's incredible journey as she settles into her new home and begins to thrive. #rescuewombat #posiesjourney #newfamilymember ... See MoreSee Less
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Look at all the angels that came together to ensure this chunky lives happily ever after. Thank you all and you are safe now Posie. Feel the love xo
Thank you everyone who helped in Posie's rescue! Healing hugs and love Posie! You're safe now! 🤗♥️😇
So happy your friend was there at the right time. She's so beautiful and so lucky she's at your sanctuary. 😍😍
Welcome Posie! You are safe now and loved beyond measure.
Yourself, Clare and Dr Helene and of course your friends who find the Wombats all deserve so much thanks for saving these beautiful little Wombats who are so much part of Australia. Welcome Posie, you are safe now and with your wonderful family ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
I've so enjoyed learning about wombats through you! We don't have them in the States, and I've fallen in love with them through your rescue 💖 thank you for all that you do for these adorable critters.
My doggy has begun Lymphoma treatment. Together we have a bumpy road ahead. Your dedication inspires me. As I pray for your strength and fortitude, please pray for ours. G-d bless you. G-d be with us.
You're all amazing ♥️ - thank you for saving this beautiful little girl 💕💕.
So glad she made it to your sanctuary. She will have the best care ever and go on to live a safe happy life!🙏🏻😂
Safe now. Big hugs 🤗
Oh welcome to your forever home, Posie! My goodness, you are a gorgeous little girl! 🩷🩷🩷🩷 I can’t wait to see you flourish in your new safe haven, and I especially cannot wait to see how much you enjoy your carrot soup! Welcome home. 🩷🩷🩷 You will be loved and cared for beyond your wildest dreams.
What a delightful name for this beautiful little wombat. So pleased Posie was rescued by the lovely lady and she is in the best of care.
Thank you for rescuing these beautiful creatures ❤️
The stars were aligned for this sweet girl. ❤️
What a lucky little girl to have found you
Beautiful little girl ❤️❤️ You are safe now Posie 🙏❤️
All the best Posie thankyou to the wonderful person who rescued her
Welcome sweetheart xx
My 6yo has to check your page everyday to see the wombats and I have to check for update posts to let him know how all the sick ones are recovering. You do an amazing job and we wish we could come visit you but unfortunately live a long way away. Keep up the great work.
Welcome lovely little Posie! You will get all the loving care you need in your new life - enjoy! 💕💕
What a sweet innocent face, prayers for Posie as she starts her new life in your safe and loving care.🙏😔❤️
Thank you 🙏 ❤️
So glad this little angel was rescued
She is so small, little Posie you are in wonderful hands 🩷
You, Clare, Dr Helene and everyone helping you are on a divine mission. Bless you and love you 🙏❤️
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Update on Grumps ♥️
Every day, Grumps is gaining more strength and resilience. Mornings have become his favourite time for a refreshing walk, and on his way back home, he takes a moment to bask in the warmth of the sunshine.
We're thrilled to share that Grumps' catheter has been removed, and he's steadily holding his own now, showing incredible progress.
As we celebrate this milestone, it's essential to remember the importance of a carefully managed refeeding regime. Grumps has nearly completed his 10-day refeeding process. Many of you have enquired about refeeding syndrome, which is when rich foods are introduced to an emaciated body too quickly. Sugary items such as green grass, glucose, and high-energy pellets can be harmful and life-threatening to these precious babies.
We are doing everything we can to ensure Grumps returns to full health ♥️🤞
Whilst Grumps is resting in his cloud of a bed, Clare is driving to collect and bring home a darling little blind wombat rescued from the middle of the road this morning. Please wish them all a safe journey 🙏
#grumpsjourney #roadtorecovery #StrengthAndResilience ... See MoreSee Less
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Such wonderful news, prayers Grumps continues to progress each day and for the new baby coming into the rescue, thank you for your never ending care!🙏🙏❤️❤️
So hope Grumps can make a good recovery, you do a wonderful job rescuing these dear little ones 🥰
Sweet Grumps, getting better and better. Prayers for the newbie Cx 💙🐾🙏
Wow look at that beautiful boy!
Oh Grumps, who doesn't love a bask in the spring sunshine. I'm so glad you're making progress.
Hard to believe this is the same boy who arrived into your care such a short time ago suffering so terribly. He looks wonderful and his skin seems to have good colour too. ❤️
Grumps your looking so much better 💙 prayers for your sweet little darling your getting 💕
He looks great! He’s truly “in the pink”!! 💕
That sun must feel so good on his skin after those awful plaques. Kia kaha Grumps ❤️
How contagious is this mange to humans and dogs there? In the US he have mange outbreaks with fox that is highly contagious. I do rehab.
Fabulous news Grumps. Keep improving 🥰🥰
He’s like a different wombat! Thank goodness for you guys
How gorgeous, he looks like a wombat again😍
Keep going Grumps! You’re doing great! ♥️ sending big love to you and the new rescued baby on the way 🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️♥️
Dear Grumps is looking amazing, its marvellous how these beautiful Wombies realise you are saving them, sending Grumps love and hugs xxx 💖🤗 and a welcome to the new baby, thankyou for your updates xxx
He looks so much better!!
Thank you for all you do and your infinite patience. 🥔💗
I love your wombat updates. Thankyou for caring for these precious ones.
Good luck with the new baby.
What a Devastating Condition, He's Certainly Looking like Life is improving for Him, Thank You for what You All do, & good luck with the new admission..
You do such wonderful work with these incredible creatures. <3
What a transformation! Well done Wombat Awareness Organisation!
🙏🙏🙏
Beautiful boy 🐾🤍🐾
Grumps is doing so great and looking more and more like a wombat now thanks to your loving care. Thank you 🙏 💗
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It's hard to believe it's already been a week since I welcomed this strong boy into our sanctuary.
Grumps, as we affectionately call him, is in pretty rough shape - severe mange, frighteningly thin, and battling a urinary tract infection that requires intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
But let me tell you, this bald warrior is a force to be reckoned with! Each day, he surprises me with his unwavering strength and determination. His resilience is nothing short of inspiring.
While the worry still lingers, Grumps has an incredible way of putting my mind at ease. His zest for life, despite the odds stacked against him, is a daily reminder of the power of love and care.
Only olive oil has been used to treat the mange, the sulphur can dry out the skin and the oil is a very safe alternative to antiparasitics as it suffocates the mites. Grumps is on a regulated diet to protect him from refeeding syndrome.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Together, we're giving Grumps the second chance at life he truly deserves.
#rescuestrong #grumpsjourney #loveandcare ... See MoreSee Less
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Poor little guy. Thank you for all your care ❤️
Hearing your soothing voice while you lovingly care for these dear creatures is, I’m sure, a great comfort to them. Bless you for your dedication and your loving care❣️
Poor Grumps, thank you for your never ending care, prayers he'll continue to improve everyday.🙏🙏
The love and care you give for our very sick wombats is amazing. I am in awe of your skill and dedication ❤️
Poor sweet Grumps! I'm so happy he's doing so much better! Thank you for having such a huge heart to care for these beautiful animals. Sending positive thoughts and prayers. ❤️🙏
The love and dedicated care you provide these Wombats is so Inspiring ....You are all so Awesome 💕❤💕
I feel so bad for him. Big hugs and prayers Grumpy
Such a fighter, Grumps wants to live. Thank you xox
Awe, you hang in there Grumps. I love you ❤️🙏🥰
Anytime we think we have it tough, we should take a look at these beautiful creatures, so much courage and guts. God Bless you all for helping them.
Thank you for everything you’re doing for this sweet Wombat 🥰
I bet the olive oil feels so soothing to his poor skin! <3
It's crazy how it looks worse but yet better! Heal baby heal!!
Go grumps 💞💞your a fiesy old timer
I do hope Grumps makes a good recovery, he seems to have the right attitude! Sending lots and lots of love from the UK 💕
Poor mite, Wombats have such a difficult life in the wild. Get well darling Grumps❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
It breaks my heart seeing them like this - thank you so much for all you do 💕
Brave little man, come on Grumps you got this and thanks to the amazing care you give him. ❤️
sending hugs and prayers for you all and for Grumps
Bless his heart!
He’ll look so handsome when all those nasty scabs fall off. Big hugs Grumps 🤩
What a difference a little time, love and care is doing for this sweet boy. 💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵 I’m amazed at how well he is responding to his treatments. Does he get the yummy carrot 🥕 soup? What is refeeding syndrome?
Oh, the poor baby! What a horrible disease for these sweet creatures. Someone has GOT to find some kind of vaccine to protect these beautiful wombats against this hideous disease. Sweet Grumps, I hope you start feeling better very soon. All my love and prayers to you, darling boy.💖💖💖
Poor little darling 💖thankgod get well soon 💕
Can he tolerate the oral remedy Bravecto? That stuff clears mange really well on animals.
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Today, Dr. Helene kindly saw our precious baby girl Cricket at a moments notice.
Cricket, one of our sweetheart orphan babes, woke up last night with a sore leg and after X-rays, it was confirmed that Cricket has a nasty sprain, we think from too many zoomies!
We're relieved that it was nothing nasty. She's now on bed rest and receiving the necessary pain relief to help her recover and feel better. 💕
We're sending healing hugs and love to Cricket for a speedy recovery! 🌈🐾
#grateful #healingpaws #cricketstrong ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you again to Dr. Helene! And wishing you a speedy recovery, sweet Cricket❤️🩹🙏.
So beautiful, get better soon Cricket 🤞🙏😍🇬🇧
The comfort on her face is beautiful
Poor little Cricket her happiness wore her little leg out.
Carrot soup and cuddles coming up ❤️
Thank you Dr Helene for your care 🙏
Poor little girl.Lots of bed rest 😪. Thank you Dr Helene for coming to her rescue ❤️ sending lots of love for a speedy recovery.
Thank you to our much-loved Dr Helene. An absolute Angel ! The Wombats are so grateful !! 🙏 🙏💕💕💕
Lordy me what a sweet pea!!🥰🥰🥰
So gorgeous. Thank you
Feel better soon, Cricket! ❤️❤️❤️
Get well soon, lovely little Cricket. And thanks to the amazing Dr Helene, as ever.💕
Thankyou Dr Helen 😘
Funny little things.
Omg little cricket you need to slow down baby girl. You are so precious and loved. Thank you Dr. Helene again for all you do. I can tell by looking at Cricket in your arms she loves you too. Prayers
She looks so lovely and peaceful in Dr Helena arms 💕 so hopefully she might learn but time will tell😅
No Zoomies is a tough one for these guys & gals! But glad it was not something more serious..🙏🙏🌹 Quickly healing little one!
Thank you again for always bring there Dr. Helene..❤🐾❤
Get better soon Cricket ... and back to your zooming!!!😄😄
Will carrot soup also be on the menu?❤
Sending Cricket love and hugs xxx 💖🤗
Ow Cricket ,You are a sweetheart. Dr Helen what on earth would these fur baby's do with out you !? Thankyou so much xxx
I would love to visit and love on the Wombies
♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏
Get well soon Cricket.
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