Wombats Are Digging Waterholes And Saving Other Animals During Australia's Drought
February 7, 2020
Wombats in New South Wales are being hailed as heroes for burrowing down to underground soaks and supplying water to many animals hit hard by drought.
Wombat hero
The Hunter Region, also commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is about an hour north of Sydney. Some areas of the valley have had almost no rain for the past three years.
Wombats have proven to be very helpful for the survival of many native animals during this long running drought.
As part of Hunter Region Landcare's wildlife monitoring program, cameras were set up in Merriwa and aimed at some wombat waterholes.
The results are fantastic.
Credit: Hunter Region Landcare Network
Farmer Ted Finnie said a waterhole has been on his property for long time, but has recently grown larger as wombats dig deeper during the drought.
"And as the crater has dried out due to the drought, the wombats have burrowed to get closer to the water and so they've gone underground a little bit," Finnie told ABC News Australia.
Credit: Hunter Region Landcare Network
Finnie said the "wombat soak" was often used by wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos, but it was now vital to many more animals during the drought.
A camera trap recently set up by Hunter Region Landcare Network showed new species including birds, goannas, possums, echidnas, and even emus drinking from the soak.
Credit: Hunter Region Landcare Network
Finnie says the animals had the hero wombats to thank.
"They're the ones keeping the hole open and accessible," he said.
Credit: Hunter Region Landcare Network
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
Ohio Man Makes Waves With His Fully Functioning Hot Dog Boat
These Are The Movie Scenes People Say Are Absolutely Flawless
Why Hope Is The Key To A Meaningful Life, Backed By New Research
Judge Waives Parking Fines So Dad Can Keep Supporting Son’s Space Dreams
Hungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand
Woman Tries To Help Bird, Then This Happened... And We Can't Stop Laughing
Artist Creates Mesmerizing Optical Illusion Using Just A Marker And A Spinning Wheel
Concerned Momma Moose Wanders Into Alaska Firehouse
UPS Driver Joins Teenagers On Graduation Slip ’N Slide
Hero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman