The mysterious marsupial which appeared on on the Murray River will soon have a name thanks to a social media campaign.
A common wombat was recently found by North Central Catchment Management Authority on Gunbower Island, 150 kilometres from its nearest known habitat.
Common wombats are found mostly in southern and eastern Victoria and eastern New South Wales.
Peter Menkhorst, Principal Zoologist at the Arthur Rylah Institute said the discovery was significant.
“It is unusual and unexpected. I can’t explain how it got there,” he said earlier this month.
While scientists scratched their heads the North Central CMA has called for names for the wombat under the hashtag #marsupialmoniker.
Anthony Radford, communications coordinator at North Central CMA said more than 20 suggestions had been received on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube so far.
Some suggested naming the wombat after one of the region’s great explorers, for example “Hume” or “BurkeWills”.
Other suggestions included “Rogue”, “Digger” or “Gunner” – short for Gunbower.
Social media user Scott Provost suggested “Rover.”
“(Or) maybe ‘No-Mad’, like I'm nomadic but not crazy to move away from the Great Dividing Range,” he added.
There’s still time to make suggestions. The competition will end in a few weeks.
Anyone who finds a sick, injured or orphaned wombat can take it to their nearest vet or authorised wildlife shelter. For information on what to do if you do find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, go to http://delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/wildlife-rehabilitation
To report a wombat sighting, click here, or visit the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas.
