Little Stanley just melts your heart. As a very young, orphaned wombat joey, everything feels unfamiliar and a little strange to him right now.
Stanley came into our care after he was orphaned due to a car strike in North West Tasmania. A truck driver noticed his mother on the road and stopped to move her, which is when he discovered little Stanley tucked away inside her pouch. Sadly, his mum had passed away, but thanks to the driver’s kindness and compassion, Stanley was rescued and given a second chance.
At just 1.2 kg when he arrived, Stanley was extremely vulnerable and would not have survived. Wombat joeys at this age are completely dependent on their mothers for warmth, comfort, and nutrition. Without that protection, they need round-the-clock care to survive. We’ve been providing him with regular bottle feeds, plenty of warmth, and a safe environment to help him feel secure.
Two months later, Stanley has made incredible progress. Now weighing over 1.7 kg, he’s growing stronger each day. He’s also starting to develop the confidence that every wild wombat needs, exploring his surroundings, testing out his little legs, and even showing a hint of that cheeky wombat personality!
Raising orphaned wildlife takes patience, love, and dedication, but every small step brings Stanley closer to his ultimate goal of returning to the wild, where he truly belongs. As he continues to grow, it’s important that we prepare him for life in the wild, ensuring he has all the skills he needs to thrive.
It’s a privilege caring for wildlife, and we’ll cherish these moments watching Stanley grow, knowing that one day, he’ll be back where he was meant to be, wild and free.
We (and Stanley) would like to say a huge thank you to Wombat Rescue Tasmania for their invaluable guidance and mentorship. Their expertise and support have been instrumental in ensuring Stanley gets the very best start in life. We are also grateful to be part of a passionate community dedicated to giving injured and orphaned wildlife like Stanley a second chance.
Remember, If you see injured or orphaned wildlife in Tasmania, call Bonorong on 0447 264 625 any time of the day or night.
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