farmdoc's blog post number 679

Hello again. Guest blogger Coco here for the third – and last – time. Have you heard the story that each morning the receptionists at Hilton hotels all over the world are phoned by guests asking ‘Which Hilton is this?’ I wrote in my previous two guest posts [1, 2] that Farmdoc and Sweetheart Vivienne’s wombat pen’s been called the ‘Wombat Hilton’. As cosy and secure as the pen is, almost from the moment I arrived three weeks ago, I was keen to forsake its creature (pun intended) comforts and get out into the bush where, word has it, there are several handsome-hunk boy wombats. I knew Farmdoc wanted to see my poo before he’d consider releasing me, so early last week I left a few well-formed cubic pellets [3] where I knew he’d find them. He did; and sure enough the next morning – last Wednesday – he unlatched the pen’s swing-gate. Folks, I was out of there. Gone. As I headed up the hill I bade farewell to the Wombat Hilton. And as a memento of my 17-day stay I snapped the attached photo. In the four days since then, I’ve begun renovating a disused burrow. And though I haven’t yet seen other wombats, I know they’re near – because I can smell them. So right now my life couldn’t be better. Thank you Patsy, Angela, Farmdoc and Sweetheart Vivienne. Tomorrow’s the first day of autumn. And the first day of the rest of my life. Goodbye. And love from Coco.

farmdoc's blog post number 669

Hello again. Guest blogger Coco here with more of my story. My transfer to Mole Creek stressed me out. Wombats, like humans, take time to get used to a new home, especially if it’s not like an old home. So I spend much time down the burrow where I’m safe, dry and out of sight. Each morning Farmdoc puts food in my food bowl. It’s a mix of oats, grains, and rice pellets called Coprice N. Yum, yum. If I haven’t eaten it all by dusk, though, I must share it with my possum friends. I’m busily renovating a hideout under a hollow log. Digging is such fun. You should try it. I’m also digging near the pen’s perimeter fence, because I’m keen to leave the Wombat Hilton and head for the bush which Patsy’s called ‘wombat heaven’. Farmdoc’s not keen to release me until he’s sure my poo’s well-formed – not mushy like it gets when I’m stressed. But so far I haven’t left any around for him to find. Patsy told Angela she thinks I may be eating it. Am I? Ssshhhh – that’s my secret. Wombats are solitary creatures, but I know Farmdoc’s already released four boy and seven girl wombats. I’m really keen to have baby wombats. I wonder who’ll be their dad: Grinder, Alexander, Johnny or Otis? We’ll see. By the way, do you like my close-up photo? I think I look beautiful. So that’s my story up to now. Thanks for reading it. Love from Coco.

farmdoc's blog post number 668

Hello. My name’s Coco. I’m a Common Wombat, but I’m anything but common. I’m a bit over a year old, and I weigh 13kg. I’m a girl, of course. (If you tell me you’ve heard of a boy called Coco, I’d say you’re pulling my leg.) Sadly, I’m an orphan. My Mum was deliberately shot and killed by a man who then kept me as a house pet – along with his dogs. I’ll never forgive him for murdering Mum. Never. Anyway a lovely lady named Patsy (from the Injured and Orphaned Wildlife Program of the Wildlife Management Branch of the Tasmanian Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Water – whew, what a mouthful!) moved me away from that awful man, to Angela’s care. Angela – a kind and gentle woman who lives near Hobart – fed me, looked after me and loved me until I became big and strong. Ten days ago Angela brought me on a long car trip to Mole Creek – to Onemilebridge where Farmdoc and his Sweetheart Vivienne live. I’m now in residence in their wombat pen. It’s a kind of halfway house – after Angela’s, and before I’m released into the bush. The pen that’s my new home has been called the ‘Wombat Hilton’. I can’t disagree. I haven’t finished my story yet, but I’m tired now. Because it’s morning and I’m a nocturnal creature, you know. So I’ll tell you more tomorrow. Bye for now. Love from Coco.