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 …
We wish all our amazing supporters and followers a joyous and safe Christmas!
We are immensely grateful for your unwavering support throughout the year. Your support allows us to give the gift of giving to the wombats every single day. Thank you x
During this special season, we also want to extend our heartfelt thoughts and wishes to those who may be facing challenges. We acknowledge that this time can be difficult for some, and we want you to know that you are not alone.
May this Christmas bring an abundance of strength, love, and hope to your lives.
Merry Christmas! β€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Merry Christmas π
That photo is beautiful and I wish you the best of Christmases and a wonderful New Year π
Merry Christmas to you both and all who care for our precious Wombats ππ ππβ€β€β€.
Merry Christmas to you all - thanx for everything you do for our beloved wombats <3
Merry Christmas to all of you wonderful angels and your family ππ₯³
Merry Christmas π to everyone there, and special best wishes to Puddy, Pearl and Pebbles π
Merry Christmas ππ to you dear hearts who care for these sweet little critters! ππ
Merry Christmas!
Thanks team. You guys are amazing π
Christmas blessings to you all and thank you for the amazing work you do to protect these beautiful fur babies β‘
Happy Christmas to you all but especially the WAO and all carers of animals and humans. You are all earth angels in my book. β€οΈπΎπΎβ€οΈππππ
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas π₯°
Merry Christmas!
Extra hugs to all the wombats and their wonderful caregiver family. Merry Christmas Christmas to each of you. πβ€οΈππΎπΎπΎπΎπΎπΎ
That is sooooo cute
Merry Christmasπ thank you for everything that you doπ₯°π¬π§
Merry Christmas π π to you also . . . .have a wonderful day
Merry Christmas to All Wombat Care Givers
Merry Christmas π
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you amazing people and the oh so beautiful wombats x
Oh Lord!!! What is cuter than this sweet baby?!! I want him soooo badly! I just love wombats!! β€οΈπ₯°β€οΈπ₯° Merry Christmas, sweetheart β€οΈππ
Merry Christmas you beautiful humans
Merry Christmas to you all π π»β€οΈβοΈπ π»
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It's taken me a few days to write this post. I've had to get my head around having to have both of Posie's eyes removed.
Posie came to us when a friend found her on the road with big, blue, bulbus eyes.
Initially, she responded to treatment. When the course ran out, so did any remaining eyesight. Posie saw three veterinary ophthalmologist specialists and there was no certain cause for the condition of her eyes. Whatever the cause, the loss of her eyesight was irreversible. The damage may have been caused by a toxin, an injury, or, it's congenital.
The truth is, Posie's eyes were 3-4 times the size of a normal wombat. We were assured she wasn't in any pain, however, she was starting to have trouble blinking and closing her eyes properly. To keep her eyes, would mean a life of indoor discomfort. We only had two options, this or euthanasia.
Considering she is only a baby and has another 20-30 years to live, the rest of her is healthy and perfect combined with the fact we have dozens of blinds living in the sanctuary and you wouldn't even know, they adjust that well, we decided to give her the chance.
She keeps showing me that Dr Helene made the right decision.
The next morning after a two hour surgery, she was up rooting around and eating. She is playing (which we haven't seen before) and in a week, she gets to live the life of her dreams by going back to a burrow in our special needs sanctuary.
Here she is, with her favourite sister Beeper β€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Aww poor Posie but yes the right decision was made as wombats clearly adjust being blind and living out their best lives at your wonderful sanctuary. And this video clearly shows that. Merry Christmas to you, Claire and our darling wombats. Here's hoping that 2024 will be better and kinder xx
I love the way she has had her face shaved she looks like El Zoro, go little one go. Wishing all you lovely people a happy and safe Christmas. God Bless you all.
Thank you for caring so much for these babies. Up until a few months ago I did not know they existed. You and your crew are very special people. Thank you for caring
What a sweet baby. She seems like such a fighter. Love to Posieβ€οΈ She’s in the right care with you & Beeper.
Bless you all for the wonderful work you do, the hard decisions you have to make, the tears you shed, and all the love you give these beautiful creatures. Merry Christmas to you all π€
A life is a life, blindness doesn’t need to mean death. Your sanctuary is the best place for Posie and her friends.
The beauty of animals is they don’t live with regret. It’s move forward or perish. Those eyes of Posie’s didn’t serve her. She’s happy and looking forward to what tomorrow brings. Thank you for caring so deeply. Bless Posie and Beeper! π©·ππ©·π
Apologies if this has been asked already, but what is "bottoming" from a wombat behaviour standpoint? Are you just saying it for fun, or is it some kind of dominance behaviour? Thanks in advance!
I feel for you having to make that decision in her best interest. Big sister Beeper will show her the way! β€οΈ
Thank you for making the tough decision. I believe that it was the right choice. She looks perfect.
Thank you for all the work you do with your beautiful Wombats, and a Merry Christmas All From π¬π§π¬π§ ππ€ β€οΈ
Animals are so adaptable to nearly everything that arises. Just takes time. Beeper and Posie are such a cute and trusting pair. You made the right decision.
You have such big brave hearts at the sanctuary. Bless you all.
You’ve given her a second chance of life and I’m so grateful to you for your compassion and love to all wombats. May you be blessed with a beautiful and happy Christmas celebrationππ
So sorry to hear this, but if it means she'll live a long, pain-free life then absolutely the right decision. Thanks for all you do for these amazing animals.
Glad she is doing so well.
Bless β€οΈπ©Ή
Brave little girl β€οΈ
I'm sure she'll have a happy full life in sanctuary. Animals adapt so well to situations like this.
Would the bulging eyes have been causing pain for Posey before her surgery?
You had no option but to give her a chance of a pain free life - and she is going to grasp it in both front paws! Well done all.
She will have a wonderful, pain-free life . Thank you for all you do, and for your love of these animals β€οΈβ€οΈ.
I’m so happy for Posie οΏΌ that she is adjusting well, and so happy that she will be able to stay in the sanctuary and live a long, peaceful and happy life οΏΌwith her sisterβ€οΈ π₯°πΆπΎ
Dear sweet Posie but this was clearly the right decision. Wishing her all the best I know she will be loved and happy β€
Awww sweet baby. Hope she adjusts quickly! Thanks for saving her and loving her!!β€οΈπ
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Yesterday, our favourite little Porky Pig (PP), Bambi went in to see Dr Helene for her dental.
PP came to us in a terrible state - almost bald and skin and bone. She actually looked mummified. It took a good 18 months of rehabilitation before she made a good recovery. Well, aside from her teeth, that require regular attention.
Bambi had been hit by a car as well, how she survived is a miracle in itself. Unfortunately, her mouth was quite a mess and almost 6 years later, still needs lots of our support. PP joins a very long list of our wombats that need life-long, specialised care due to being hit by cars.
Porky Pig only see's Dr Helene for 4 hours per year and we feel, it's a small price to pay to be able to be living the dream in the sanctuary. Porky is well known for removing the washing off the line and stalking us in the dark π She is a real character.
We can only take care of so many wombats because of your kindness, and once again, I really want to thank you so very much πβ€οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Thankfully they are in the best home everπ Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you all and Thankyou πππ
A very Happy and safe Christmas to you and all the fur babies π ππβ€οΈ Thank you for all you do β€οΈπΊ
All because of you and your team. Thank you for all you do for these wonderful animals in need. Happy holidays!
Oh bless her and such wonderful work by you and the other skilled team members who help you
I love the snippets you share of their personality. β€οΈ I hope this all went smoothly.
Thank you so much for all you do for these sweet babies.
Another lucky baby to be saved by you wonderful angels ππππ
Such a sweetheart!! May God bless you all and Merry Christmas. π€ππ
Win win your love for these creatures is what turns them around! And of course the great medical care they receive ππ»β€οΈ Merry Christmas to all of you, human and all your sweet wombats ππ π»ππ»β€οΈ
Such a sweetheart, happy Christmas to you all β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Thankyou for caring Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all. π²
Happy holidays to such wonderful carers of our favorite wombats! I love all the news about them and will support you in your work as much as I can. πΎβ€οΈπΎβ€οΈ
Gracias por todos los cuidados y amor que le dan, que salga muy bienπ₯°ππΌπ
Thank you all for caring for these sweet animals. Merry Christmas!β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Thankyou for taking such love and dedication of these beautiful animals. Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.
That is so wonderful that they are cared for so well!! Happy Holidays!! Thank you for your great work!!
Thank you & Dr Helene for taking such good care of PP! πππ♥οΈ
Thank you to all that make the love and care for the wombats happen .....it takes a village π
Sweet girl so happy she is doing well. Happy Christmas to you all and to your charges, god bless.
Merry Christmas to all of you and thank you for saving wombats and giving them a better life!ππ²
So beautiful π€©
Thank you for all you do! Donated today. Happy Christmas π and stay well. ππΌππΌππΌποΈ
Happy Christmas to you and the babies!!ππ
π€πΎπ€
What a personality!
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Good morning from these two sweet little buttons, Nina and Posie β€οΈ Both of these little girls were rescued roadside by friends. Posie was found struggling, almost completely blind while Nina was found starving and all alone.
Not only do we make a delicious carrot soup, we also make a mean wombat porridge which these little girls love, love, love!
Shortly, Posie will be going in to meet with Dr Helene for the decision on whether or not to remove her right eye, which is giving her trouble.
Posie's appointment is in less than an hour, can you please send her some of your magic for the best outcome β€οΈ
A huge thank you goes to Alex and the girls from Adelaide Hills Kangaroo Rescue for rescuing these dear girls π ... See MoreSee Less
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Good luck Posie, you stumbled into the most wonderful of hands. May God guide Dr helene in her diagnosis and treatment.
I love those noses!π
How did the Vet visit go? π
Sending love and prayers to sweet Posieβ€οΈππ»β€οΈππ»
Sending lots of love. β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
I send lots of positive thoughts to you lovely people who dedicate your lives to the saving and protecting of these beautiful creatures. And to all the wombats themselves.
Beautiful π€©. Enjoy your soup
Sending lots if love and prayers for a good outcome πππ
Prayers and best positivity! G-d bless.
Good luck
Welcome little ladies π
Poor Posie, hope everything goes well for her. She is in the best place she could possibly be. You guy's are amazing keep up your fantastic work π β€οΈ
Best of luck, Posie! Dr. Helene is the best and will do what is best for you. You can always trust her. ππ»β€οΈπΎ
Awwwww sending you a thousand well wishes sweet girl. Whatever decision Dr Helene makes, may it bring you the best health going forward. π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·π©·
Sending lots of love and support to Posie π Also strength to Dr Helene π€♥οΈ
Precious babies π
Good Luck Posie, hoping the best outcome for you !
They are so beautiful and ld have a go at that porridge it looks good!!
β€οΈπNina & Posieπβ€οΈ
Good luck to all of your rescues. You do so much for them
Sending love and prayers to darling Posie for her visit to Dr Helene β€β€β€πππ
Thoughts and prayers go out to Posie. Hoping her appointment goes well. Good luck little girl. β€οΈ
Sending best wishes to Posie and Nina.
Positive Thoughts Sweet Posie β€
ππfor the best outcome
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