Mange is on the rise among wombats, according to a Southern Highlands wildlife carer.
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Tania Clancy said she currently has a workload of more than 200 wombats, with health complications due to warmer and drier conditions.
"The reason why [mange has] come to Southern Highlands is the drought," she said.
"The only moist place on a very dry landscape is the burrows.
"Wombats are big bears and these mites go into the burrows and infest them."
Ms Clancy's most recent call-outs were to Nanna's Lane off Range Road in Mittagong and Berry Mountain, where she treated three more wombats on Tuesday.
She said the mange was typically found in areas where a lot of wombats congregated such as camping grounds, however it was a widespread problem.
The carer said mange was commonly found in a range of locations including Joadja, Bullio, Aylmerton, Colo Vale and Mittagong.
The skin disease of mammals is caused by parasitic mites and occasionally communicable to humans.
It is characterised by severe itching, hair loss, and the formation of scabs and lesions.
The carer said the disease put the wombats in a lot of pain.
"It's a national crisis at the moment," she said.
The carer hopes to stop the spread of mange in the Southern Highlands and to educate the public.
She has treated many wombats, trained several property owners in mange treatment and handed out kits to treat the disease.
"It's my choice in life but it's not really a choice for animals to die of mange," she said.
"I've spent over $20,000 on wombats. For the mange that's an endless drain [on finances]."
If you would like to make a donation or provide assistance, call Tanya Clancy on 0429 042 721.