When a concerned traveler in Australia noticed a small, fuzzy shape near a busy road, they quickly realized it wasn’t just a clump of dirt or leaves — it was something alive.
They immediately called Native Wildlife Rescue, where veteran wildlife carer Kerstin Schweth has been saving animals for more than two decades.
“I immediately sprung into action,” Schweth wrote in a Facebook post.
By the time she arrived, the tiny creature — an orphaned baby wombat — had vanished into the dense rainforest brush.
Determined not to give up, Schweth scoured the area, calling softly and listening for movement. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a flicker of brown fur darting through the mud.
The frightened wombat disappeared into a dark burrow before Schweth could reach her.
“I went back to get a large net,” she said. “Every time she peeked out, I tried to lower it gently — but she was too scared. She just went deeper inside.”
Realizing she needed backup, Schweth called her rescue partner, Lorraine, who brought buckets to block the burrow entrance and prevent the baby from escaping.
Together, they set up a humane trap near the opening and waited, hoping the little wombat would finally come out.
When Schweth returned the next morning, she was met with a heart-melting sight — the cold, wet joey was curled up safely inside the trap.
“I was shocked to see how small she actually was,” Schweth told The Dodo.
Carefully, Schweth scooped the trembling baby into her puffy jacket to keep her warm. She rushed her to Lorraine’s home, where they gave her glucose powder and gentle care until her strength returned.
Now, the rescued wombat — lovingly named Hope — is recovering beautifully. She’s drinking well, exploring her new surroundings, and will soon be paired with another orphaned joey so she can grow up with a companion of her own kind.
Schweth named her Hope as a tribute to all the lost and frightened wild animals who deserve a second chance.
“Finding her was an enormous relief,” Schweth said. “She really lives up to her name.”
