Mudgeroo Wombat and Wildlife Refuge is a family-run wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary located on 70 acres of natural bushland in beautiful Jervis Bay, on the Shoalhaven Coast of New South Wales, approximately three hours south of Sydney. Licensed under Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc. (WRSC Inc), our refuge is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of Australian native wildlife and domestic farm animals in need.
The property that is now Mudgeroo Refuge began its life as a commercial emu farm, where emus were once slaughtered for products, such as emu oil. When Phil and Belinda purchased the property in 2014, they were asked if they would like the remaining emus to be processed. Refusing to let that happen, Phil and Belinda stepped in.
From that moment, their vision grew into something much greater: a place of refuge for wildlife, a haven for rescued farm animals, and a living example of compassion and conservation in action.
Today, Mudgeroo operates as both a wildlife rehabilitation centre and a permanent sanctuary. Under the authority of Wildlife Rescue South Coast (WRSC Inc.) and registered with the Humane World for Animals Wildlife Trust, the sanctuary provides expert care for injured, orphaned, and displaced native animals, adhering to best-practice rehabilitation standards to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Over the past several years, Phil and Belinda have transformed the property into a fully equipped wildlife refuge, constructing secure and species-appropriate enclosures, as well as dedicated triage, surgery, and quarantine areas for animals in urgent need of medical attention.
Phil and Belinda have been lucky to secure Grants from Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc. (WRSC Inc) and NSW Wildlife Council and these funds kicked off the goal of extending their existing Animal Nursery. This could not have been achieved without the help of so many supportive individuals, from both near and far.
A fabulous company ADCO donated hours of work throughout 2020 to ensure the building was complete. The year ahead will hopefully see Belinda and Phil successfully fit out the interior with superior holding pens, that will be suitable for a variety of species of sick or injured animals.
Our mission is to ensure that Mudgeroo Wombat and Wildlife Refuge continues to grow as a safe haven for Australia’s wildlife – rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native species while providing lifelong sanctuary for domesticated animals, and those under license for longer term care.
With ongoing community support and funding, our dream is to one day establish a local wildlife hospital on the property, complete with advanced medical facilities to serve the broader South Coast region of New South Wales.
Together, we can build a future where every injured or orphaned animal has a second chance to live freely and safely in the wild.