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A coastal community is outraged by the alleged hit and run murders of nine wombats after a local from a wealthy family was charged over the deaths.
Tyson Michael Delbridge, of Fish Creek in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, has been charged over the alleged attack on one of Australia’s beloved native animals.
The charges followed an extensive investigation into the deaths by the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Police.
Delbridge is accused of mowing down the wombats in Gippsland’s Venus Bay in an incident investigators called ‘a senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty’.
The Daily Mail visited the region this week after Delbridge’s image went viral on social media. It is not suggested that Delbridge is guilty of killing the wombats, only that he has been charged.
The youth is accused of running down the wombats along Lees Road, which runs between Venus Bay and Anderson Inlet on the opposite side.
It is an area surrounded by bushland, with a thriving community nestled in between the wilderness.
On Tuesday, almost every second home had a bright yellow sign displayed on its gate warning drivers to be mindful of the wildlife.
Fish Creek youth Tyson Delbridge has been identified as the alleged wombat killer
A male and female, one carrying a joey, were among those found dead
Delbridge, who could not be contacted, is expected to vehemently deny he was the driver who killed the wombats.
He is the son of cattle trader and dairy farmer Cameron Delbridge, a community stalwart with long established ties to the local community.
On Tuesday, a neighbour defended the alleged wombat killer, telling Daily Mail she could not believe he was responsible.
‘He’s a good kid,’ she said.
The neighbour, who did not give her name, said Delbridge’s parents were distraught about the allegations against their son.
‘His mother is beside herself,’ she said.
The woman claimed Delbridge had always been kind to her and routinely stopped by to offer his assistance on her rural property.
She claimed Delbridge was likely being blamed for the wicked deeds of others.
Tyson Delbridge’s image has been plastered over social media
Delbridge is an electrician and is facing separate driving offences
Venus Bay on Victoria’s east coast on Tuesday
‘There were other cars in the area at the time,’ she insisted.
Sources have told 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.
In a statement issued at the time, Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said wildlife cruelty was unacceptable and pledged to 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.
Homes across Venus Bay have been plastered with yellow signs warning drivers to slow down
Wildlife officers alleged the deaths of nine wombats were by Delbridge
One of the alleged victims in the incident at Venus Bay
‘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 alleged wombat massacre 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 source connected with one site told Daily Mail he has since come under fire from Delbridge’s supporters, who have bombarded him with angry messages.
Delbridge’s SUV which police allege was used to mow down the wombats
Wildlife cameras captured a vehicle they believed was responsible for the wombat killings
Images captured from wildlife cameras in the area
‘I’m getting all the crazies contacting me from Gippsland now complaining about my posts,’ he told Daily Mail.
‘If I was to do a plot of where all the crazies come from it would centre on Korumburra – the former home town of the mushroom lady.’
Delbridge is set to appear in a country Victoria court in October where fireworks are likely to erupt between his supporters and animal welfare advocates.
Sources told the Daily Mail the bodies of the Venus Bay wombats had been left by the side of the road in an unusual way.
‘Some were already lined up before we got there, like an undertaker had been there,’ a source said.
A post on social media attacking wombats was allegedly ‘loved’ by an account belonging to Tyson Delbridge
Properties along Lees Road and surrounding areas are displaying signs warning drivers to slow down
‘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.
Anyone with information on the attack should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
