Animal Diaries Archive

Minibus Profile

3 September 2004

This weeks profile features Minibus, one of our female common wombats. Mini, as she is more commonly known, is approximately, nine years old and has been with us here at Australia Zoo for the last four years. Also in our wombat enclosure are some of Mini's companions; her best friend Dozer, boyfriend Chisel, and daughter Burrow. There are a number of ways Mini likes to spend her day. You will often find her renovating her burrows through the sandpit, chilling out under the guava tree in the shade, or having cuddles with her carers... Oh, what a life! By far her favourite activity is going out on her daily walk. Whether she ventures around the entire Zoo or 20 metres down the path to her favourite grazing area, she has to get out and about on her little adventures. One of the things that makes Mini as dear to us as she is, is the story behind her start to life. Upon hearing the name 'Minibus', most people look straight to her well rounded stomach for the inspiration behind her name. The name, however, is rather a sad tribute to her mum. Unfortunately Mini's mum was hit and killed by a minibus when she was crossing the road. If it were not for the time taken by a good samaritan who took the time to check, Mini would not be with us. She was found still surviving in mum’s pouch, was taken to be hand-raised and now nine years later she lives happily here with us at Australia Zoo. Today she is a mum herself! It just goes to show what a little extra care and attention towards our native wildlife can produce.