Wombats abroad and when travelling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What are wombats?

• Wombats, you can find them rocking on a stage in Liverpool, or digging in the ground on the other side of the world.
• Wombats, like kangaroos and koalas, are marsupials. Not just any marsupials, but animals with special characteristics that you don't often see in other animals.
• In terms of genes, they are most similar to koalas. They also have, like koalas, inverted pouches so that no soil gets into their pouch when they are digging.
• They can weigh up to 20 kg and grow to 85 cm.
• The babies (joeys) live in the pouch for 6 months, but must stay with their mother for 18 months.
• A few more special facts:
  • You could easily confuse wombats' poop with a Minecraft block - square!
  • When they feel threatened, they run to their burrow and block the entrance with their large behinds. They can run as fast as humans - up to 40 km/h.

Where to see wombats in the wild abroad?

• Wombats are mainly found in Tasmania and the south coast of Australia.
• Some well-known places to see wombats are:
  • Cradle Mountain in Tasmania
  • Maria Island in Tasmania
  • The south coast of NSW - such as Bournda National Park and Kangaroo Valley.
  • Namadgi National Park in Canberra
  • Wilsons Promontory National Park in Victoria
  • Or one of the “open range wildlife parks”

Are wombats dangerous?

• Wombats are not dangerous to your life in principle, but they can attack if you do not treat them respectfully.
• They can display aggressive behaviour, especially if they feel threatened, have a young one, are stressed or have mange.
• For example, they can attack with considerable force or use their sharp incisors and powerful claws. This can cause painful injuries.

What to do if you encounter a wombat in the wild?

• Keep your distance from the animal and avoid interaction. Just watch from a distance, that will make both of you happiest.
• If you see a baby wombat, leave it alone. The mother will return after a while.
• It is illegal to touch wombats without a permit! They are a protected species.
• If the wombat is injured, contact a local animal welfare organization. Often you will have to remove the wombat from a danger zone, such as the road, yourself, but do so carefully.

What to do when a wombat attacks you?

• If a wombat comes running towards you, walk away calmly, without turning around, and leave the wombat alone. Make sure you are safe and the wombat is too.
• Try to find a place where you cannot be attacked further. For example in a car or building. 

What to do in case of a bite or scratch by a wombat?

• Wombats have sharp teeth and claws and can cause serious wounds with them. The biggest risk is that the wound will become infected.
• Wash the wound with soap and water.
• Disinfect the wound and seek medical help.
• Watch for signs of infection.

Which diseases can humans get from a wombat?

• Wombats suffer greatly from scabies. When you touch a wombat, you as a human also run the risk of getting scabies. Unfortunately, many wombats suffer from these mites that bury themselves in the skin.
• Another danger is a bacterial infection after a bite or scratch.

Can you volunteer or intern with wombats?

• There are certainly opportunities to do volunteer work or an internship with wombats.
• There are many organisations in Australia that work with wombats and other wildlife. Just Google “wombats” and “volunteering” and you’ll have a laundry list to choose from.

What should you do if you are going to work with wombats during your volunteer work, internship or study.

• Always think about what’s best for the animal. Many wildlife organizations opt for a hands-off policy. With koalas, you may have to hold them to feed them and help with medical care.
• It’s useful to read up on how wombats live, what they eat and what health problems they can have.
• Always make sure you get good guidance and training in advance.

Where is the best place to work with wombats?

• Australia is by far the best place! If you find one outside of Australia you’ll probably have a lot of work to do…