On the last day of September comes a note from Sue:

I had dropped a note to Porscha early this week, so far no reply but that's not surprising . . . her days (and nights) are worse than mine. Last time we spoke, she told me that Zima was making LF look like a walk in the park . . . she's a feisty little bundle if ever there was one. Forrest is growing like mad, has weaned himself and now munches into proper wombat 'hard tucker' with gusto. He is still securely living outside in his hay-floored stable, with access to the outside and to burrow-practice sites.

We are still searching for the right relocation for him and although this won't be needed till sometime in 2006, we have to get things prepared well ahead of time. I am hoping that the forested ranges behind Wombat Bend may prove to be safe and suitable, and Porscha, Denise and I have to co-ordinate a time to do a walk-and-search there, and get an estimate of current wombat populations. We cannot relocate him (or Zima, in due course) into an area already dense with wombats, as they are extremely territorial and a newcomer would face considerable opposition.

And during that conversation with Porscha, she described to me the plans she and Neil are preparing for the wombat rehabilitation enclosure she is aiming to build, using the $2500 AUD which you all donated to Little Forrest's recovery and rehabilitation.

GO TOPAGE 22