Lizzie the orphaned wombat joey has celebrated her first birthday at the Australian Reptile Park.
While cake wasn’t on the menu, she was treated to a massive bouquet of fresh grass along with a nice bottle of warm milk.
Lizzie partied with her friend Ash the koala in one of the koala yards and was showered with lots of love from keeper Tahrnia.
The cute joey didn’t have an easy start to life.
Last September, she was found in her mum’s pouch by a passer-by on the side of the road after her mum was hit and killed by a car.
She was taken to the Australian Reptile Park where zookeeper Hayley Shute became her new carer and surrogate mum, providing around the clock care (including a bottle feed at 3am) and the cuddles.
Keepers named the strong little wombat after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a tribute to another strong female who left a lasting impression on the entire world.
“When Lizzie first arrived, I really wasn’t sure whether she’d make it but I’m so glad to see her thriving and she’s just growing up so fast,” Shute said.
“I can’t wait to see how she goes over the next few months.
“Fingers crossed, we will soon have the chance to release her back into the wild.
“With school holidays being the busiest period for people to be out and about on the roads, we urge drivers to take caution and to slow down if they see wildlife on the roads.
“Cars are one of the biggest threats to our wildlife population and the reason Lizzie ended up here at the Park.
“We’re grateful to have her here, but we also wish she was living a normal life in the wild with her mum.
“So many animals are killed by vehicles each year and if we all took a little more care, we can decrease the number dramatically.”
For now, Lizzie will remain at the Park for roughly 12 months.
Then it will be decided if she is strong enough to be released to the wild.
Source:
Media release, Jan 17
Australian Reptile Park