From Prague to Ginninderry, when the passion for wombats knows no borders

Yolandi Vermaak, founder and president of ACT Wombat Rescue, right, shows some of the orphaned babies to Czech First Lady Eva Pavlová in the new enclosure at Ginninderry. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Prague and Canberra may be worlds apart, but when it comes to protecting native wildlife – particularly wombats – the two couldn’t be closer.

Described as an international first, a wombat enclosure has been created in Ginninderry in the Belconnen Farmhouse area, a joint initiative between Wombat Support & Rescue NSW/ACT, the Ginninderry Conservation Trust and Prague Zoo.

It was officially opened on Wednesday 27 November by the First Lady of the Czech Republic, Eva Pavlová, on behalf of the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel and the Prague Zoo.

For Yolandi Vermaak, founder and president of the Canberra Wombat Rescue Group, it was the most special day.

So how did this happen?

“One of our wombat rescue volunteers works at the Czech embassy,” Yolandi said. “He introduced me to some people there…and you know how these things happen.

“They knew about wombats because they had Cooper. He comes from Tasmania and is at the Prague Zoo. They also introduced a female and hope to have babies. So they are already invested in our wildlife.

Yolandi said the new 15 meter by 15 meter wombat enclosure at Ginninderry was funded by Prague Zoo after discussions between the Czech Embassy in Canberra and the zoo director.

“This venue is a symbol of what we can achieve when people and organizations come together for a common cause,” she said.

“It provides refuge for wombats in need and reflects the growing awareness and commitment to the preservation of this iconic species.

“We are extremely grateful to Prague Zoo, the Ginninderry Conservation Trust and everyone who has supported our work. »

She said the enclosure, with two burrows already dug, would provide a refuge for two wombats before their release into the wild.

“It’s very important for us to have this space,” she said. “Our volunteers are running out of space at home.”

Caring for newborn wombats requires a constant round of observation and feeding, but the dedicated volunteers at ACT Wombat Rescue wouldn’t have it any other way. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Yolandi said the Ginninderry sanctuary was crucial to the welfare of the growing number of wombats in its care.

She explained that wombats could survive for up to 30 years in captivity or 10 years in the wild, but their survival was under constant threat with their main predator being humans.

Much of the volunteers’ rescue work involves checking the pockets of wombats killed by cars to see if any babies have survived.

Once rescued, babies need constant care and observation, feeding every few hours, and a warm pouch to sleep in.

Maggie the wombat gets closer to Team Ginninderry’s Tyson Powell after the enclosure opened this week. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Ginninderry Conservation Trust CEO Dr Jason Cummings said the rescue group has already played a vital role in mapping the wombat population across the Ginninderry conservation corridor, identifying 25-40 wombats and counting of 100 burrows in the region. The proposed 596 hectare conservation corridor links Ginninderry to the surrounding Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek.

“This project is a testament to what can be achieved when local expertise, international collaboration and community management come together,” Dr Cummings said.

“This not only highlights the importance of the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor, but also reinforces our commitment to protecting, enhancing and appreciating the cultural and environmental values of the area.