Managing wombats
Wombats can negatively affect farming activities, infrastructure and safety. Management options are available which, if implemented carefully, can enable a harmonious co-existence.
This page will help you:
- Learn how to manage wombats
Wombats have a reputation for being very persistent and resilient animals. Taking the time to plan and prepare your wombat management approach will increase the likelihood of success and avoid wasting time and money.
Landholders and infrastructure managers are encouraged to use designs and management practices that promote peaceful co-existence with these animals.
Careful planning – such as identifying and minimising activity in key wombat areas, avoiding driving near burrows, and not disturbing burrows that aren’t causing issues – can help reduce the impact of wombats and their burrows.
All wombats in South Australia are protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. You also have a legal responsibility to manage wombats and their impacts in a humane manner in line with the Animal Welfare Act 1985.
All wombat management must consider the welfare of the wombat, follow permit conditions and relevant codes of practice or guidelines. Destruction of burrows or wombats should only be considered if they are causing, or likely to cause, significant environmental, economic or social damage. Non-lethal management methods should have been trialed first.
Management methods
Installing two-way gates allow wombats to move freely from one area to another and back again. This can be very effective if wombats are damaging fences.
Two-way gates are installed at known locations where wombats move between paddocks and should be small and light enough for a wombat to push through, but not big enough for stock to move through.
A two-way wombat gate typically consists of a rectangular frame set into a fence or barrier.
The gate itself is a swinging door, hinged at the top or side, allowing wombats to push through from either direction.
The door should be sized to accommodate a wombat's body, usually about 30–40 cm high and 40–50 cm wide.
The mechanism should be simple, with no sharp edges, and ideally constructed from sturdy wire mesh or metal to withstand burrowing and pushing.
The gate should be flush with the ground, with no gaps that could trap or injure the animal.
Well-designed and constructed exclusion fencing can be very effective at protecting high-value infrastructure.
Exclusion fencing generally stops animals from starting to dig at the base of a fence with the inclusion of a wire ‘skirt’ which can be further reinforced with rocks.
Buried footings can be more expensive to install and be less effective as wombats are more likely to dig under them. Electrified wires near the bottom of the fence can be very difficult to maintain and is generally not favoured.
Monitoring of fence condition is very important and any signs of wombat digging should be managed quickly.
One-way gates are similar in design to two-way gates but only allow wombats to move in one direction.
These can be used in conjunction with exclusion fencing to enable animals to move out of a fenced area.
One-way gates can also be used at burrow entrances to enable a wombat to safely exit a burrow before it is destroyed.
A permit is required to catch and release wombats. This is not a recommended in most instances as it is likely the wombats will simply return to the area.
Moving wombats outside of their home range will not be supported as a management approach.
There may be some situations where, in the interest of the wombat’s welfare, capture and release within the immediate vicinity may be supported.
Only highly experienced wildlife handlers – with specific knowledge and experience in wombat capture and handling – will be permitted to undertake this activity due to the risks to the animals and the people involved.
For information on permits to capture and release wombats, contact wildlife@sa.gov.au.
For information on the rescue of sick or injured animals, visit helping wildlife.
The presence of wombats on a property or near infrastructure can cause concern, however, the effects of burrowing activity must be significant before you consider destroying a burrow.
Disturbing a burrow that was causing minimal damage could result in a new burrow in an area where a greater impact may be caused.
Wombat burrow destruction must be carried out in line with the Animal Welfare Act 1985, including by ensuring that animals are not subjected to any harm or suffering.
A permit is required to destroy wombat burrows in Wombat Burrow Protection Zones (WBPZ). Currently, there are no WBPZ declared in South Australia, meaning a permit is not required.
Due care must be taken to ensure that no wombats are harmed during burrow destruction.
Where non-lethal management options have been explored and have been found to be impractical or ineffective, land managers may apply for a permit to destroy protected animal species that are causing impacts.
It is important to note that destroying wombats may not be an effective management option if used in isolation.
To apply for a Permit to Destroy Wildlife for destroying wombats see destroy wildlife permits.
If a permit is obtained, a permit holder must abide by the permit conditions including the Code of Practice for the humane destruction of wombats by shooting in South Australia.
