Wombat kill permits soar 158% in five years as government faces welfare outcry
Victoria approved lethal control of 4321 wombats in 2025. That was up from 1675 in 2021.
Victoria's Conservation Regulator approved 4321 wombat killing permits in 2025, a 60 per cent jump on 2024. It's a 158 per cent jump since 2021.
The figures show the maximum approved permits. Actual deaths are unknown.
Wildlife rescuer Ali Martin made an important observation. Joeys have been found alive in the pouches of shot mothers.
This has happened days after death. Parliament voted in March to review wombat permits.
They wanted to know if lethal control should still be allowed. Yet the government approved more permits anyway.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell tested the system. She got a permit within 24 hours.
She used misleading photos and showed no alternatives had been tried. Martin and her husband protect their South Gippsland farm differently.
They use fencing, gates and burrow markers instead of shooting.
- 4321
- 2025 permits
- 1675
- 2021 permits
- 158 per cent
- Increase since 2021
- Ali Martin, Prom Coast Wildlife Care
- Rehabilitator
Why it mattersVoters and parliament backed a review of wombat culling. The government expanded permits without new checks instead. This shows that animal welfare promises may not become real policy.
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