Jerrara wildlife revealed

Kiama Council

Wombat at Jerrara Arboretum

WIRES Illawarra with Kiama Council have spent this year assessing and treating wombats for mange at Jerrara Arboretum, part of a wider program to eradicate the threat of mange in local wombat populations.

Mange is a skin infection in mammals, including humans (scabies) and dogs, as well as ringtail possums, bandicoots, koalas and wombats.

WIRES has used outdoor cameras near wombat burrows, which show the variety of wildlife that call the Jerrara Arboretum home.

The wombat burrows attract a range of animals having a closer look, particularly possums and wallabies.

Native rats and mice even live within the wombat burrows, in their own little tunnels.

There are quite a few bandicoots, protected by thick walls of lantana, that they live beneath, safe from foxes and cats.

The WIRES team has also spotted a noisy pitta, a rarely-seen rainforest floor dwelling bird, and even more unusually the sight of a juvenile yellow-tail black cockatoo on the ground wandering past a wombat burrow.

The public is welcome to visit Jerrara Arboretum but please stick to the walking tracks, and keep your distance from local wildlife.

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