Wombats are protected under Australian law in all states- although in parts of eastern Victoria it is treated as a pest and has no protection.
There are three species of wombat (one is endangered), all of which reside only in Australia. The biggest threats the species faces are its small population size, predation by wild dogs, competition for food because of overgrazing by cattle and sheep, disease. Wombats are killed by poison such as '1080' used in baits intended to reduce rabbit or wallaby numbers. Indiscriminate shooters and vehicles also take theit toll, as well as habitat destruction caused by logging and mining.
Now, in central Victoria, a large gold mining licence and permit have been issued for Wombat State Park. There is not even an estimate of how many endangered wombats live there, but wombats are indeed there as there are wombat burrows. Wombats were not taken into consideration in this gold mining project and are left completely vunerable and unprotected.
SOURCE:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/07/12/3544808.htm
Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Parliament House Office
Room M126
Canberra ACT 2600
Postal Address
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7520
Fax: (02) 6273 4120
Email the Minister
Wombats are protected under Australian law in all states- although in parts of eastern Victoria it is treated as a pest and has no protection.
There are three species of wombat (one is endangered), all of which reside only in Australia. The biggest threats the species faces are its small population size, predation by wild dogs, competition for food because of overgrazing by cattle and sheep, disease. Wombats are killed by poison such as '1080' used in baits intended to reduce rabbit or wallaby numbers. Indiscriminate shooters and vehicles also take theit toll, as well as habitat destruction caused by logging and mining.
Now, in central Victoria, a large gold mining licence and permit have been issued for Wombat State Park. There is not even an estimate of how many endangered wombats live there, but wombats are indeed there as there are wombat burrows. Wombats were not taken into consideration in this gold mining project and are left completely vunerable and unprotected.
