This Amazing Couple Opened Up Their Home and Land to Care for Wildlife

If you have the pleasure of living in a home with a backyard, you have probably witnessed a number of wild creatures flit on and off your property. Perhaps you’ve grown accustomed to seeing birds, and squirrels, along with the occasional deer, but these animals don’t stay long and after a few moments, they are off to forage in someone else’s lawn. Most people think of these animals as pests and are glad to see them scamper off. Philip and Lesley Machin, are not most people.

This incredible couple not only welcomes wildlife into their yard, but they have also opened up their property with the express purpose of caring for the many wild animal that call the rural woods of Wamboin, Australia home.

Wildlife Welcome

Philip and Lesley Machin have lived on their 20 acre property for 15 years and have learned to live quite symbiotically with the local wildlife. After moving into the area, the Machins became involved with a local wildlife group, called Wildcare. Quickly taking up positions as volunteers, the couple were recruited to assist in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wild life.

Philip Machin explains to OGP, volunteers are called to attend to wildlife incidents, including “removing kangaroos caught in fencing,” and, “trapping and relocating large wombats that are in the wrong place.”

Not exactly the everyday call you might expect to receive in the U.S.!

But beyond their work helping to rescue wildlife, the Machins devoted their property, “Woodlands,” to become a sanctuary for animals in need. Today, the Machins property is fully decked out with, “a large flight aviary (an enclosed vegetable patch), a kangaroo release enclosure; three outdoor enclosures for raising wombats; tanks to care for injured turtles; and cages for birds and lizards.”

Machin tells OGP,”We became involved with the Wildlife Land Trust and Land for Wildlife, not only to commit our land for wildlife, but also to encourage others in our region to become involved in better protecting wildlife.”

The Wildlife Land Trust and Land for Wildlife is an initiative run by Humane Society International that encourages property owners, like the Machins, to turn their land into sanctuaries for wildlife. The initiative has been very impactful in Australia, Machin explains, “Over the last five years we have seen the number of properties setting aside land for wildlife increase by 40 – all with a pretty signs on the gate to show passers-by that wildlife is important.”

Woodlands Sanctuary

While their property is labeled as a wildlife sanctuary, it is not a sanctuary in the typical sense. Animals do not become permanent residents at Woodlands, but the major goal is to see every creature that comes in for care released back into the wild.

Machin describes it as a place for, “wildlife that wants to set up shop or pass by.”

To make this possible, they have maximized the wildlife “friendly-ness” of their property, “Over time we have made improvements with more plantings and the removal of barbed wire that catches birds and bats. We have reduced the tension of our wire fences to allow animals to readily crawl under or through.”

And as a result, more and more creatures find their way onto the protected property.

Detailing the long list of woodland creatures they have seen, Machin tells explains they have witnessed over 40 species of birds on their property, a myriad of lizards, snakes that chase after frogs, rats that pop up in their shed, possums, sugar-gliders, turtles, bats, wallabies, and kangaroos … just to name a few.

And of this influx of guests, the Machins tell OGP, “We are very lucky!”

Caring for Injured and Orphaned Wildlife

Beyond the animals that wander into their property, the Machins also care for injured and orphaned creatures. Currently, the Machins are caring for nine wombats, a small baby joey, and two eastern long-neck turtles.

“Over the years we have helped hundreds of injured or orphaned animals, including 60 wombats. Animals do get named, but we try not to become too attached,” says Machin.

Many of the animals that come into the care of the Machins as orphans have to be cared for throughout their infancy. For a joey kangaroo, this typically is a span of 10 months, and for a wombat, it can be 18 months.

“To see these youngsters grow and blossom into adulthood is a real thrill,” says Machin.

Two of the baby wombats, Chester and Chubs, currently in their care need special formula, so they have taken up residence inside the Machin’s home, living right in the family living room.

The task of caring for wildlife is not always as easy (or adorable), when larger wombats are ready for release, the Machins have to trap the animals. On one occasion, they had to trap a 90 pound angry wombat for release which could only be managed by throwing a large blanket over the animal and bundling it up, much to the wombat’s dismay.

When it comes time for release, the couple arranges a designated release site with other property owners. Next a portable enclosure it built near the wild wombat territory and the animals are given some time to adjust to the sounds and smells of their new home before they are released out into the wild.

Caring for Wildlife Doesn’t Always Require 20-Acres

Although it may seem that Philip and Lesley were born with an innate love and passion for wild creatures this is not the case. As they explain to OGP, learning to care for the wildlife that surround that has been a journey, “As city-slickers we didn’t overly think about wildlife. But having moved to the countryside and getting very much involved with the welfare of wildlife, we feel extremely privileged to have helped injured and orphaned animals on their way.”

By simply taking the time to experience animals in their wild habitat, and learning how to treat them with due respect, the Machins outlook on wildlife was forever changed, “We have learnt that many species have extraordinary intelligence and often show emotional feelings – something that previously we would not have been aware of.”

Having personally learned these amazing lessons from the animals they care for, the Machins have become, “ardent advocates for the protection of wildlife in our local area and elsewhere.”

While the Machins have done the extraordinary and devoted their home and property to care for wildlife, there are many small steps you can take to help wild animals without welcoming a wombat through your front door.

Machin tells OGP, “Whether in towns or countryside, we can all do our bit to help protect wildlife, so it is there for future generations. Dip your toe in the water and become actively involved.”

Here in the U.S. you can start getting involved by volunteering with one of these amazing wildlife rehab centers and checking out these 10 simple tips to help you live in harmony with the wildlife in your own backyard.

All images source: Lesley and Philip Machin