U.S. Millionaire Leaves $8MM USD To . . . Wombats?
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An anonymous American millionaire is making headlines after his death - for bequeathing $8mm USD to a rather unusual cause - To save Australia's Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats!
According to Briggitte Stevens the director of the Wombat Awareness Organization, that was named as the beneficiary, the millionaire visited the center a couple of years ago and was touched by the plight of the animals, who were either starving to death, dying of disease or, being killed by motorcycles and bulldozers.
He was obviously also very impressed with Mr. Stevens, who runs the organization with the help of volunteers, and depends on donations from the public, to keep it going. So much so, that he decided to donate a nice chunk of change, which will be paid in installments of a million dollars each - Oh, and in case you are feeling generous, Mr. Stevens is still looking for donations, since the millions will not start coming to the organization until next year, and he does have some immediate costs to cover!
Often compared to Badgers or Groundhogs, Wombats are the world's largest burrowing animals and second largest marsupial - smaller only then kangaroos. Native to Australia, they are strong, muscular animals with rodent-like eyes. While their eyesight is poor, they have a very strong sense of smell and hearing. The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat is the smallest species of the breed and found primarily in South Australia.
While they look extremely cute, they are a nuisance for farmers, thanks to their incessant burrowing. Over the years, so many have been killed that they are currently on the endangered list of animals. Now, with $8mm USD to protect them, the future for the Wombat population certainly looks bright again!
Sources: wombatawareness.com,buzz.yahoo.com,blogs.forbes.com
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137 Comments
- Amirabout 14 yearsOh no that is terrible. Wombats are endangered. I never even heard heard about these animals before. This is terrible. To many animals are getting endangered. earth needs to change starting with us helping it.
- JESSICAabout 14 yearsi really think that us as humans should help these poor and defences creatures. save the wombats
- JESSICAabout 14 yearsI REALLY THINK THAT WHAT HUMANS ARE DOING TO THESE POOR ANIMALS IS JUST CRUEL. IREALLY WISH THAT I WOULD BE THERE TO DO SOMTHING ABOUT IT AND HELP THOSE POOR WOMBATS. SAVE THE WOMBATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- elizabethabout 14 yearsI am glad this man tried to save these animals because that means he really cares about them.It was so sad to hear that these lovely animals were being killed by motorcycles and bulldozers.These animals were in lots of danger.It is so horrible
- icey tacoabout 14 yearssave the wombats man they dont hurt nobody
- brahlaya thomasabout 14 yearsI love this article because it's very heart warming to hear about an animal thats being saved from being an endangered species , or even worse, extinction.
- danaiabout 14 yearsI can't beilve they would die by starving,get run over,and by diseases.It is a very sad story.I still can't belive they are on the endangers list.I am glad they are going to be safe.
- josephabout 14 yearsthis made me kinda happy be cause like a dieing millionare saw that the wombats were in trouble and in stead of giving the money to like a sister,friend or family member she going to pay for like medacine and treat ment. how nice was that.
- chyenneabout 14 yearsthis is a very sad story. why would anyone want to kill these cute animals. what i found interesting and supring is that wombats are the second largest animal. i am so happy that the wombats are protected again.
- Shellyabout 14 yearsSAVE THE WOMBATS!!!!!!!!! What did they ever do to you? NOTHING! So save the wombats!
