Holly the Rescued Wombat is a Christmas Miracle

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 21, 2020 11:16 pm

holly the rescued wombat Australian Reptile park

Holly the common wombat in care at the Australian Reptile Park

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park has celebrated a Christmas miracle with an orphaned wombat joey being brought to the park to be cared for after being found in her deceased mother’s pouch. The joey has been named ‘Holly’ to reflect the Christmas season and the miracle that this joey represents.

Unfortunately Holly’s mother fell victim to an all too common fate for Australian animals, being hit by a car. This increases as more people move around during the holiday season. Often when an adult is hit a joey is left unharmed in the pouch and ultimately passes unless someone comes by and checks the pouch.

A video of Holly the wombat with her carers

Photo Credit: The Australian Reptile Park

Holly is one of the lucky ones who will now receive round the clock care from surrogate mother, Hewin Hochkins who is a mammal keeper at the Australian Reptile Park. The joey will be provided with round the clock care including a feed at 2am every night until she is healthy enough to return to the wild.

Australian Reptile Park Director Tim Faulkner says “It’s hard to predict an outcome when we get handed in precious little wombats like Holly. We don’t know if she has been exposed to disease, if she’s malnourished or injured after the car accident. Thankfully, Holly is full of life and energy! She is thriving under the care of Hewin and really is a Christmas miracle!”

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Mr Faulkner goes on to explain “Cars are one of the biggest threats to Aussie wildlife. We urge people to slow down in wildlife areas as it is animals like Holly the public will be protecting. So many animals are killed by vehicles each year and if we all took a little more care, we can decrease the number dramatically! There will be a lot more people on the road this holiday season so we need to ensure everyone is doing their best.”

Holly can occasionally be seen exploring the Australian Reptile Park with her keepers.