Rangers who found a dead wombat that had been stabbed several times in its skull at a swimming spot just outside of Canberra have made a public appeal for help to find the person responsible.
The animal was found with several violent wounds at Tharwa Sandwash, south of Canberra this morning.
"We were out doing our normal run in terms of our maintenance, and came across a deceased wombat at Tharwa Sandwash," conservation ranger Brett McNamara said.
"We're really keen to be able to follow this up.
"The last thing we want to do is come across this."
Based on the carcass's condition, Mr McNamara estimated it had been attacked by a person either last night or on the early hours of Friday.
"It really is a bit of a plea to anyone out there. If you do hear anyone chatter about this, or do see something on social media about this, just let us know. Because we're really keen to be able to follow this up," he said.
He asked for anybody with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
