A review of wombat ‘management’ in the ACT could soon place one of Australia’s most loved native animals in the firing line if adopted — and it took a parliamentary process just to bring the damming information to light. Wombats have long been protected in the ACT but could have this protection scrapped to allow people to legally kill them.

The recommendation made as part of a recent government draft technical report proposes reclassifying wombats as a “Controlled Native Species”.  Meaning that if adopted and progressed to policy, it would create a legal pathway for them to be killed under a lethal permit system.  Incredibly, this inclusion in the report appears address the views of only three rural leaseholders seeking greater ability to legally kill wombats on their properties.

Governments creating legal pathways for wildlife to be eradicated upon request is not only cruel but sets a harmful mindset that killing is a solution. This approach has already been adopted by the Government in the ACT through their annual kangaroo killing program. Now, sadly, wombats could be the next in the firing line.

Decisions of this magnitude must not happen quietly. We’ve put together some writing tips below to help you speak up for wombats today.

Writing in your own words is the most powerful way to make an impact for wombats. Personalised messages demonstrate genuine community concern and are far more influential than copied text. Even a short email expressing why wildlife protection matters to you can help decision-makers understand the depth of public support.

• Wombats, like all native animals, are a vital part of our ecosystems. Their burrows support other species and improve soil health.
• They already face habitat loss, urban development and vehicle strikes.
• Weakening their protection sends the message that native wildlife can be killed when inconvenient.
• The ACT has been a leader in protecting wombats and should uphold that responsibility.

• Permit-to-kill systems in other states have shown poor oversight and inconsistent enforcement.
• Animals can suffer prolonged deaths under these systems. When mother wombats are killed, orphaned joeys can endure starvation or predation.
• Creating a legal pathway to kill wildlife makes humane outcomes less likely to be attempted and adopted

• Wildlife “management” does not have to mean killing, as humane, science-based alternatives already exist.
• Policy should strengthen humane coexistence rather than default to killing.

• Australians overwhelmingly value native wildlife. Policy should reflect compassion, evidence and community expectations.
• Any major changes to protections must be transparent. Changes made quietly, or hastily, break public trust in our territory leaders.
• The ACT community expects the government to safeguard wildlife — not make it easier to kill them.

Wombats cannot speak for themselves — but you can.

Please take a moment now to write a personalised email and let the Environment Minister know you do not support any policy that would allow land managers to kill wombats. Urge her to reject pressure from rural lobby groups, and instead reflect the broader community expectation that wildlife in the ACT be properly protected and respected.

Together, we can defend strong protections and call for policies grounded in compassion and coexistence.