Protecting Our Wombats
Continuing on the Work of “The Wombat Man”
For more than a decade, John Creighton, known across Australia as “The Wombat Man” has dedicated his life to rescuing and treating bare-nosed wombats. Through his work at Wombat Care Bundanoon, John not only saved thousands of wombats affected by injury, disease, drought, bushfires and habitat loss, he also built one of the country’s most respected grassroots wildlife care programs.
His pioneering work treating sarcoptic mange, a devastating parasitic disease, is recognised nationally. John developed practical treatment methods still used by rescuers today, trained hundreds of carers, and educated schools and universities about wombat biology and conservation.
Now, through Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary, we’re expanding this work to ensure wombats are protected for generations to come.
Our work includes:
- Mange treatment and management, using methods John helped develop
- Habitat protection and restoration of safe wildlife corridors
- Community education to empower & train carers and volunteers,
- Student Education to empower students to engage in and support conservation work
- Long-term planning to protect local wombat populations from future threats
- Future On-site rehabilitation enclosures designed for long-term care
This project builds on John’s extraordinary contribution — and ensures his life’s work continues to grow and evolve.
Ways to Support
Help Us Protect the Wombats of the Southern Highlands
Wombats face increasing threats from disease, habitat loss, vehicle collision, and climate pressures. Your support allows us to expand care, improve facilities, and continue the hands-on work John has championed for over a decade.
Here’s how you can be part of it:
Donate
Your donation helps fund medical supplies and ongoing mange treatment, training & education programs, pouch checks of injured wombats, assisting landowners with “wombat proofing” buildings. Every contribution protects the animals John has dedicated his life to.
Volunteer
Register your interest in becoming a volunteer. From citizen science wildlife monitoring, event support, and more, volunteers are essential to helping the SHWS grow & thrive.
Become a Member
Becoming a Member is one of the simplest & most powerful ways to support the Southern Highlands Wildlife Sanctuary. Your membership helps us grow our community of supporters and demonstrates vital grassroots backing when we apply for grants and funding which in turn directly supports our work.
Learn, Teach, and Share
Education has always been at the heart of SWHS’s mission. We’re expanding access to learning tools so carers, schools and community members can deepen their understanding of wombats and their role in local ecosystems.
Here are some of the resources we offer and are developing:
Wombat Education Resources
Mange Treatment Guide
Clear, practical steps for identifying, treating, and monitoring mange-affected wombats — based on years of proven field experience.
Wombat Biology & Behaviour Fact Sheets
Easy-to-share resources for schools, community groups, and carers.
Habitat Protection Toolkit
Information on burrow safety, corridor protection and practical land management.
School Workshops & Talks
Aligned with curriculum outcomes, introducing students to wombat ecology, conservation challenges, and real-world rescue stories.
Training Modules for Volunteers
Entry-level training on wombat handling, enclosure care, and habitat monitoring.
