wombat mange 
 mitigation Program 

WIRES & Bravecto Wombat Mange Mitigation Program

Working Together for Wombat Health and Conservation

Since 2022 WIRES has partnered with Bravecto to combat the growing threat of sarcoptic mange in Australia's wombat populations.

Sarcoptic mange is a painful and potentially fatal disease that can affect up to 90% of wombats in some regions. Without treatment, mange leads to severe skin thickening, hair loss, secondary infection, impaired vision, weight loss, and ultimately death. This makes mange not only a critical animal welfare issue, but also a serious conservation concern.

Under permit from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, Bravecto Spot-On has proven highly effective in treating sarcoptic mange in wombats when administered appropriately by trained and authorised carers.

 

Why This Partnership Matters

  • Scaling Treatment Where It's Needed Most
    Through this partnership, WIRES distributes Bravecto to authorised wildlife volunteers and eligible wombat care organisations across affected regions. This ensures effective treatment reaches free-living wombats quickly and safely.
  • Supporting Community Mange Programs
    WIRES provides structured training, guidance, and compliance oversight to ensure treatments are delivered responsibly and in accordance with permit conditions. The growth of WIRES community mange treaters has significantly increased treatment coverage in impacted areas, of which this influx could not be supported without this valuable partnership Wombat Mange Program
  • Improving Wombat Welfare Outcomes
    Field reports consistently show substantial improvement in mange-affected wombats following treatment, with reduced itching, healing skin, improved body condition, and increased survival rates.

Expanding Access to Treatment

Licensed individuals and wildlife organisations who are authorised to treat wombat mange and meet eligibility requirements may contact WIRES to enquire about access to available or discounted Bravecto doses.

This approach ensures responsible use of treatment while expanding reach to areas where wombats are most at risk.

For eligibility criteria or to discuss participation, licensed carers and organisations can complete the below order form or contact programs@wires.org.au.

Working Together for Long-Term Impact

Through this partnership, Bravecto distribution has reached a growing network of wildlife carers and organisations across Australia. To date, support has been provided to:

  • A broad, multi-state network of carers and organisations - including 17 dedicated mange treatment groups and 11 individually licensed treaters operating across the ACT, NSW, TAS and VIC  

 

  • Over 7,760 Bravecto doses supplied to WIRES mange treaters and these trusted external partners actively treated affected wombats

By strengthening treatment networks, supporting licensed treaters, and improving access to effective medication, this collaboration is helping protect wombats now, and building resilience for the future of the species.

 

Treatment Success Stories

                            George - Before and After Treatment 

                  George 2       George 6

"Over the past few years, we have been treating wombats suffering mange in and around the Dandenong Ranges Gardens with support from WIRES and Mange Management. The more recent use of Bravecto has seen a marked improvement in the health of our residing wombats. It has been a great achievement to see advancements in the wombat's overall health and wellbeing. We are now able to directly treat wombats while allowing them to stay in their habitat”. ~ Fiona, Parks Victoria

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"Thanks to support WIRES and MSD Animal Health, ongoing Bravecto treatments are helping maintain a now largely healthy wombat population at Bundanon Homestead and the surrounding gallery land.

Treating individual wombats in the wild is physically difficult and challenging work but the rewards of catching a fleeting glimpse of a recovering wombat as he disappears into the bush is well worth the effort.

Thanks again to WIRES and MSD Health for the ongoing supply of Bravecto to continue to treat our wonderful wombats." ~ Vikki Dooper, Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc. War on Mange Coordinator

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"Thanks to WIRES & Bravecto partnership, Wildlife Rescue South Coast has been able to continue the successful administration of treatment to hundreds of wombats suffering from mange on the south coast of NSW. Witnessing the recovery and success that this treatment has provided for these animals is incredible. We are solely volunteer based and spend many hours tracking and treating these animals that previously suffered without hope. We love these amazing animals so much and hope to strengthen the colonies through our ongoing work."  ~ Adriana, Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc.