Catherine Enright has launched a change.org petition to save native wombats. As at 5pm today over 28,000 people had signed the petition.
Wombats are one of our iconic native animals. Wombats are protected in every other state in Australia. Common wombats are a protected species in Victoria, except in 193 districts including Murrindindi where the animals have been declared unprotected wildlife.
High-rolling tourists are being invited to hunt and kill wombats at a luxury hunting lodge on an 809-hectare (2000 acre) property backing on to Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, in the state’s north-east which is run by a Chinese businessman who is a Crown casino partner with alleged crime links.
Tensions are boiling over in the tight-knit community, with neighbours reporting they feel “scared” of unlicensed and inexperienced shooters firing powerful weapons close to their properties. I think locals are completely justified in being concerned for their safety as well as that of the affect on their livestock.
How is killing a wombat sportsmanlike? I care about our native wildlife as I know a lot of other Aussies do as well. Please help me change legislation to include protection for wombats in all areas of Victoria.
