Waging war on wombat mange

A group of local volunteers attended a training day to help deal with wombats suffering from mange.

The Wombat Mange Management group held the training for new volunteers on Friday February 9 in San Remo.

The group said wombats were a regular sight around San Remo, although some residents may be unaware of their existence.

Mange is an infestation of the mange mite, which burrow under the skin and deposit eggs. This causes intense discomfort for the wombat and over time, thick plaques that look like scabs and ridges form over its body.

The Mange Management group's aim is to eradicate mange and stop the suffering.

"Unless Mange is treated the infestation progresses and eventually the wombat is so severely compromised it dies," the group stated.

The volunteers are trained in ways to treat the mange either from the burrow or applied to the actual animal, without physical contact.

Currently there are several burrows with treatment arches in the San Remo area.

ParksVic has erected signage alerting people to the wombats and reminding them to keep dogs on leash.

Anyone sighting an infected or wounded wombat can report it on the Mange Management Group website, including uploading photos.

"Taking some photos of the wombat you are reporting is extremely helpful, and the images can be uploaded and shared with us," the website states.

"These photos play a vital role in helping us triage and treat your wombat."

The animals are treated on site, so there is no need to touch or capture it.

Alternatively you can call the Mange hotline: 0431 600 125.

To find out more, report an infected wombat or make a donation go to: mangemanagement.org.au