Sarcoptic mange has been described as one of the most painful deaths available to animals.

The mite burrows into the skin, sapping energy and nutrients from the animal.

It takes their fur, and eventually their eyesight, hearing, and ability to eat.

It is estimated, by experts, that it has decimated 94 per cent of the wombat population in Northern Tasmania’s Narawntapu National Park.

And that percentage does not cover animals outside the national park boundaries.

But, as always, there is good news served alongside bad news.

The good news comes in the form of West Tamar residents who have taken on the challenge of protecting the furry, burrowing neighbours.

A year ago, the Wombat Warriors were just individual members of the community.

But they banded together for a cause, and have made enormous changes to their lives in order to make a future for wombats.

Some have become licensed carers, and have transformed their backyards into boarding homes as they treat and rehabilitate infected wombats.

Some are on-call, and at all hours of the night, seek out infected wild wombats that have been reported to them.

Everyone does what they can – from co-ordinating, training and recruiting, to building the revolutionary “burrow flaps” that dispense the Cydectin treatment.

They are a rallying point for those who care about the future of Tasmania and Australia’s wildlife.

They’re not “hippies” or “Greenies” – they’re farmers, tradies, retirees, people.

When compassion and passion exist so strongly in communities, that is when change can be made.

Those lucky wombats.