Council's rabbit program traps wombats in sealed burrows
Nillumbik Shire Council's rabbit-control work accidentally sealed wombat burrows across 30 reserves. This trapped animals that volunteers were treating for mange.
Volunteers treating wombats for a serious skin disease called mange found the problem. The animals' burrows had been filled in and blocked with rocks.
This happened during the council's rabbit-control program from June to August. About a dozen volunteers came to help.
They found a couple of trapped wombats and let them out. But many others are still missing.
Committee member Suzanne Teese from Wildlife Rescuers said the contractor may not have known about the wombats. Or the contractor failed to protect their burrows.
Nillumbik Shire Council said it is devastated and started an investigation. State MP Georgie Purcell of the Animal Justice Party said the work was very concerning.
She said the investigation should be independent. It should not be run by those responsible.
- 30
- Reserves affected
- Around a dozen
- Volunteers who responded
- June to August
- Duration of work
- Mange
- Disease treated
Why it mattersNative animals may have died because of government contractor error. This raises questions about wildlife protection in council operations. It also raises questions about how such incidents are investigated.
AustraliaWildlife lovers in Melbourne's outer north-east are concerned about the fate of local wombats; the incident highlights risks to native animals during land-management works.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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