Wombat mange treatment program a success

WaterNSW has been working closely with National Parks and Wildlife Service, the University of Tasmania, and other stakeholders, to find a long-term and sustainable treatment solution to protect the native common wombat population since 2017.

“By the end of the six-month treatment program, the severity of mange in Bendeela’s wombat population had reduced by more than 55%,” WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations Brian Mayhew said.

“This has been a fantastic outcome for us as the managers of the Bendeela Recreation Area, but more importantly, for the wombats who call this place home.”

“This has been the result of a very effective collaboration between government agencies and the University of Tasmania, and we’re pleased to take what we’ve learned to vastly improve the health of the native wombat population."

The University of Tasmania carried out a monthly plan to treat mange between April and September 2022. This involved administering wombats with a dose of Bravecto, a common flea and tick treatment for pets, using a long pole, or jabstick.

“The wombats at Bendeela are typically comfortable interacting with people and the treatment process did not appear to stress the animals,” Mr Mayhew said.

The university-led program started in late 2020 and was completed in early 2023, following delays caused by COVID and flooding. Over its course, 761 wombat observations and health assessments were made, with about 3% of the wombats at Bendeela showing signs of mange.

A small group of trained WaterNSW staff will now continue the treatment program that was successfully trialled.

“While it is not possible to eliminate mange from the Bendeela wombat population, as it’s part of a larger affected population in Kangaroo Valley, we now have the techniques to safely treat infected wombats without taking them into captivity.”

An independent final report into the program can be viewed at the Bendeela Recreation area webpage.