Mauled to miracle: Noel the wombat beats the odds after brutal backyard attack

An adult wombat has made a miracle recovery and been released back into the wild five months after being savaged by dogs last Christmas.

In early December, volunteers from Wombat Support and Rescue received a tip-off about an injured adult wombat spotted in hedges and residential gardens in the Gleneagles Estate in Kambah.

The wombat rescue team found the badly wounded and infected animal in the residential suburb near the Urambi Hills in Kambah last Christmas. Picture supplied

"We found the wombat and treated him for minor injuries," said Yolandi Vermaak, president and founder of Wombat Support and Rescue, reflecting on the beginning of the animal's journey.

However, just days later, the grey-brown marsupial was spotted again in the south Canberra suburb, this time without a burrow to sleep in, infested with maggots, and severely injured. It is believed the wombat had wandered out of the Urambi Hills Nature Reserve and was attacked by pet dogs in the residential area.

"His injuries were pretty bad. He was struggling," Ms Vermaak recalled. "It looked like attack wounds from a large dog. He also had ear mites, a yeast infection, a bacterial infection, and coccidiosis."

It appeared the adult wombat had been attacked by large dogs in the Kambah region. Picture supplied

As an emergency, the Canberra rescue team took in the badly wounded wombat over the festive period and aptly named him Noel.

Believed to be roughly 10 years old, Noel was nursed back to health by a team led by carer Brooke Trotter. Over five months, the dedicated volunteers cleared Noel's maggot infestation and treated his extensive wounds.

Christened Noel, the 10-year-old animal, made a full recovery in five months under the care of Wombat Support and Rescue team. Picture supplied

"He was caught just in time, and Brooke did a wonderful job," Ms Vermaak said.

Under Mrs Trotter's care, Noel began gaining weight and making steady progress. Local residents and animal lovers from the Kambah region closely followed his recovery, donating generously toward his ongoing treatment and food.

When Noel began actively digging again, rescuers knew he was finally ready to return to his natural habitat.

After the team located four vacant burrows in the Urambi Hills Nature Reserve, a hale and healthy Noel was released on Saturday.

The animal was released on Saturday into the Urambi Hills Nature Reserve after rescuers ascertained four empty burrows. Specially installed cameras monitor his wellbeing. Picture supplied

"He's still there and seems to be doing fine," said Ms Vermaak, whose team has been monitoring the wombat via newly installed wildlife cameras.

Following the successful release, rescuers have just one appeal for residents living near the Urambi Hills: "Kindly leash your pet dogs."

Without responsible pet ownership, they warn, other local wombats might not be as lucky as Noel.