Australia: It Really Is Out To Get You

[andraste]

Most surprising headline of the day: wombat mauls camper.

As the article notes, this is highly unusual behaviour for the species, and I feel bad for the wombat as well as the camper it attacked. Perhaps it's just more proof that Australian wildlife is mean!

I guess I should add wombats to my list of wild animals to warn tourists about, along with magpies, kangaroos, koalas and possums. (I mean, we also have snakes and spiders and crocodiles, but I like to think that those are pretty obviously not to be patted.) I really mean it about the kangaroos, though - most of the time they're placid and even friendly, but if a dominant male thinks you're getting fresh with his harem, he may try to disembowel you. Part of the national park near where I grew up was closed off for several years after a local 'roo did this to a tourist.

At least the kookaburras just want your lunch. Although who knows what Hitchcockian plans they have brewing?

Comments

[st_aurafina]

Apparently it had mange. Like, really bad mange, which made it aggressive. This makes me worry, because all the wombats I've ever seen in the wild have looked a bit mangy. I didn't know what danger I was putting myself in.

[andraste]

vThis makes me worry, because all the wombats I've ever seen in the wild have looked a bit mangy. I didn't know what danger I was putting myself in.

I likewise had no idea this was a problem! I was unaware that wombats even got mange until now.

Poor wombat

[lilacsigil]

Don't forget the cockatoos - one once got my mum in the face, and there's always a few fingers lost every year!

Re: Poor wombat

[andraste]

Don't forget the cockatoos - one once got my mum in the face, and there's always a few fingers lost every year!

Yikes! My sympathies for your mother. They do indeed have fearsome beaks if crossed.

[lizvogel]

I'm with the wombat on this one. I mean, if I was having a nice lie-down and someone came out and stood on me, I'd be cranky too!