A POSSE of wildlife protesters, who turned out at the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday this week, hoping to see justice dispensed in the case of alleged cruelty to wombats at Venus Bay left disappointed that the case was adjourned without coming to court.
The 19-year-old Fish Creek man, charged with 20 offences under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 for alleged conduct leading to the deaths of up to nine wombats in Venus Bay in February this year, answered his summons to appear but the case was adjourned at the court office.
He is now due to appear at Wonthaggi on Tuesday, December 9.
The charges follow an extensive investigation by the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police into the deaths which occurred at Venus Bay on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in what authorities allege represents “a senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty”.
All wildlife in Victoria is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to hunt, take, destroy, injure, or interfere with wildlife without authorisation.?
At the time the charges were laid, Chief Conservation Regulator, Kate Gavens said wildlife cruelty was completely unacceptable.
“The Conservation Regulator will investigate and seek prosecution for serious cases of wildlife cruelty.?The Conservation Regulator takes wildlife cruelty seriously, and I encourage the public to report any information about wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers.”
Speaking outside the court afterwards, wildlife rescue volunteer, Mel Darer, said people had come from all parts of south-eastern Victoria to hear the outcome of the case.
“We’ve come along today because we want to hear what happened to the wombats at Venus Bay and to say, as a community, that we don’t think it’s OK what happened and we just wat to be a voice to allow people to know that,” said Ms Darer.
“Wombats are in trouble. With the population, there’s no accurate numbers. They suffer from mange, car strike.”
Ms Darer said she was disappointed the matter was adjourned again and remained concerned that the issue was properly dealt with by the department.
The Conservation Regulator urges anyone with information about wildlife cruelty to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously.
