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Hunt for answers after wombats found with bullet wounds

Mystery surrounds the discovery of the remains of six dead wombats in eastern Victoria.

Mystery surrounds the discovery of the remains of six dead wombats in eastern Victoria. Photo: AAP

Mystery surrounds the discovery of a group of dead wombats in eastern Victoria.

The remains of six animals were found beside a road at Boolarra in the Latrobe Valley on June 11, with passerby reporting the discovery.

At least three suffered bullet wounds, although authorities have been unable to find any bullets in their bodies despite using a metal detector.

Two others may have been hit by cars, and the cause of death for the sixth has not been established.

Conservation Regulator-authorised officers believe the animals were injured sometime between June 5 and the day they were reported to authorities.

It is illegal to hunt, destroy or take wildlife, and anyone caught doing so risks a $9600 fine or up to 12 months in prison.

Aggravated acts of animal cruelty carry a $92,400 penalty or up to two years behind bars.

Greater protections for wombats were introduced in 2020 following reports they were being killed for sport in parts of the state on private property.

Anyone with information about what happened to the animals has been urged to approach Crime Stoppers.

– AAP

Topics: victoria
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