Petition Ban lethal pest management to protect ground-dwelling species

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the horrific deaths and immense suffering of wombats buried alive across Victoria due to non-chemical pest control programs involving filling, collapsing or blocking burrows.

We draw particular attention to a recent well-documented incident within the Nillumbik local government area, where wombats being monitored by wildlife rescuers had their burrows filled with heavy debris, then blocked completely, and in some cases leaving no sign that these wombat homes had ever existed. Community members claim no consultation was undertaken prior to this action, nor were local wildlife rescue groups informed.

Rescuers discovered the destruction only during routine monitoring of wombats being treated for mange, by which time it was too late for many animals. Despite frantic efforts by volunteers, numerous wombats were buried alive. Explanations provided by local government, including claims that wombats could dig their way out, were contradicted by evidence, observed and photographed, by rescuers, including burrows being packed with large, heavy obstacles and then backfilled, leaving no realistic possibility of escape. The justification that the program was intended to exterminate rabbits is equally unacceptable, as burying any animal alive constitutes extreme cruelty. No sentient being deserves to be buried alive in their home.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to ban all forms of pest management involving lethal control through the blocking of burrows, or underground habitat, criminalise these actions without exception, and grant protection for all ground-dwelling species from being buried alive due to any human actions, including but not limited to, landscaping, construction, land clearing activities for industry, development or infrastructure, and any extractive actions, including mining and logging.