Australian zoo walks wombats on leads to help them lose weight (video)
An Australian zoo has gone to extreme measures to help some of their smaller inhabitants lose weight.
Rockhampton Zoo in Queensland is trying to get its southern hairy nosed wombats in shape by walking them around the zoo on a lead... like a dog.
The therapy started with one of the zoo's older wombat's damaged hip made her so lethargic she refused to get up when her food bowel was moved to the other side of her enclosure.
See also: Chester Zoo named one of the best in world by Tripadvisor
But she's not the only one, there are now five other wombats that join her on the daily walks - but the zoo say they are keeping the cardio to a minimum so the poor little creatures don't get too tired!
Wombats actually have one of the lowest metabolic rates of any animal and also almost never breed in captivity.
Last year we told the story of another adorable baby wombat who was being cared for at Taronga Zoo near Sydney after being orphaned.
Taronga keeper, Evelyn Weston, took on the role of caring for Chloe the wombat after her mother was struck by a car.
Evelyn said: "She's very affectionate and also a bit naughty. She loves chewing on shoes and if you walk away from her she chases after you like a rocket."
A few months later Chloe took on a special role in the zoo as she began accompanying Evelyn on her morning rounds.
"It's a natural behaviour and something Chloe would be doing with her real mother if she'd survived. Wombats stay with their mothers for up to two years, walking by their side until they're old enough to fend for themselves," said Evelyn.
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