A young tradie accused of mowing down wombats in his ute and arranging them in odd positions has been arrested.
Daily Mail can reveal Tyson Michael Delbridge, of Fish Creek in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, has been charged over the alleged attack on one of Australia’s most beloved native animals.
The charges follow an extensive investigation into the deaths by the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police.
In February, the department branded the alleged slaughter in Gippsland’s Venus Bay ‘a senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty’.
Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said at the time that wildlife cruelty was unacceptable and the organisation will investigate and seek prosecution for serious incidents.
‘The Conservation Regulator takes wildlife cruelty seriously, and I encourage the public to report any information about wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers,’ she added.
Investigators had been on the hunt for the alleged wombat killer for months, with the charges bringing some relief to the outraged local community.
News of the arrest was welcomed by South Gippsland Deputy Mayor and Venus Bay local, Sarah Gilligan.
Wildlife officers alleged the deaths of nine wombats were by Delbridge
Signs had been set up in the area where Delbridge allegedly committed the atrocity
‘It’s been a very long seven months for the community of Venus Bay after the horrific [alleged] slaughter of too many beloved wombats,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘This was a deliberate attack on community values and I’m thrilled to see the office of conservation regulator and police following through.’
Delbridge, who also faces serious driving charges related to a separate matter, was charged with 20 offences by Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
The morning after the attack, Venus Bay local Mark Radley inspected the bodies of the wombats, which he said were covered in tyre marks and arranged in artificial positions on the side of the road, The Age reported.
‘The general feeling in Venus Bay, of which the majority of residents are nature lovers, is one of relief and also hope that justice will be served,’ he said.
The alleged crime turned local community members into sleuths, with people sharing information updates on social media in the hunt for the alleged perpetrator.
A poll on one page asked readers if anyone convicted of killing wombats should have their vehicle confiscated.
The response saw 60 per cent of those who participated suggest a convicted offender’s car should be seized and crushed.
A male and female, one carrying a joey, were among those found dead
Wildlife cameras captured a vehicle they believed was responsible for the wombat murders
Images captured from wildlife cameras in the area
Sources told the Daily Mail that up to three cars were believed to have been in the area when the wombats were killed.
The bodies were found by disturbed locals who took them to the side of the road.
At least one of the victims had a joey, which survived and was taken to a wildlife shelter.
‘Some were already lined up before we got there, like an undertaker had been there,’ a source said.
‘Whoever did this deserves jail. A diversion would be an insult to all involved. This is an opportunity to send a strong message.’
It is not the first time wombats have been killed in the area, with some locals suspecting more were deliberately killed just after Christmas last year.
Those found guilty of cruelty to wildlife face massive fines and up to two years behind bars.
Delbridge is set to appear in a country Victoria court in October.
Another victim of an alleged deliberate hit-and-run attack by a Fish Creek man
Picturesque Venus Bay in Victoria’s east is known for its beauty
Anyone with information on the attack should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
