Baby wombat named Ted is taken in by a police officer after its mother was struck and killed by a car – and is now being raised at the local cop station
- An eight-month-old wombat named Ted was rescued from the side of the road
- Ted was rescued by NSW Police Senior Constable Tori Murray after mother died
- The bare-nosed wombat requires up to a year of care before being released
An orphaned bare-nosed wombat that was rescued by a police officer will spend the next year living at the local station until it’s ready to go back out into the wild.
The eight-month-old wombat named Ted was taken in by Monaro Police District’s Senior Constable Tori Murray in June after its mother was hit and killed by a car.
Since then Ted has spent most of its days at the Queanbeyan Police Station where a bed has been set up under Senior Constable Murray’s desk.
Ted, the eight-month-old orphaned wombat (pictured), was rescued by a NSW Police officer after his mother was killed by a car and now spends his days at a police station
The wombat is often found taking a nap in its portable bed or following other officers around.
Monaro Police District’s Inspector Charles Hutchins said everyone had taken to Ted immediately and enjoyed having him at the police station.
‘The officers have taken very positively to Ted,’ he said.
‘As you can appreciate with every baby animal, everyone is very nurturing and caring and very interested in the process.
‘I’m sure there are plenty of cuddles being passed around the office.’
Ted gets no shortage of love and attention from the officers but when it comes to feeding time it is up to Senior Constable Murray.
‘Ted is fed special wombat formula by bottle up to about four times a day,’ Insp Hutchins said.
Senior Constable Tori Murray, who is also a Wildcare volunteer, adopted Ted (pictured) and will care for him over the next 12 months until he is strong enough to be returned to the wild
Monaro Police District’s Inspector Charles Hutchins (pictured) said all everyone had taken to Ted immediately and enjoyed having him at the police station
Senior Constable Murray has been a wildlife volunteer with Wildcare for the past five years and will nurture Ted to full strength over the next 12 months.
Once Ted is strong enough and fit enough he will be released back into the wild.
Insp Hutchins said crashes involving animals regularly occur on Australian roads and urged drivers to keep an eye out for wildlife while travelling.
‘With school holidays and everyone travelling along the highway, we encourage people be aware of your surroundings, which may include our native wildlife,’ Insp Hutchins said.
‘If you see an animal near the road, we encourage you to slow down if possible, exercise caution and drive to the conditions so that way we’ll show some kindness to the animals by the roads.’
Insp Hutchins said crashes involving animals regularly occur on Australian roads and urged drivers to keep an eye out for wildlife while travelling