{"id":637777,"date":"2026-04-29T05:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T05:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/637777\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T05:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T05:24:21","slug":"council-crew-stunned-as-monstrous-fatberg-turns-out-to-be-curious-aussie-creature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/637777\/","title":{"rendered":"Council crew stunned as ‘monstrous fatberg’ turns out to be ‘curious’ Aussie creature"},"content":{"rendered":"

A routine stormwater inspection took an unusual turn for council<\/a> workers this week after discovering the curious cause of a blocked pipe. <\/a><\/p>\n

What looked to be a large blob obstructing a pipe<\/a> in the southern NSW town of Bega, could have easily been mistaken for a monstrous fatberg<\/a>, which are commonplace in sewer systems<\/a> across the country.<\/p>\n

But during the inspection, workers discovered the large blockage <\/a>was actually a curious wombat<\/a> which had somehow made its way into the pipe, likely mistaking the stormwater drain for an underground burrow.<\/p>\n

The chubby fella was caught on camera curled up in a ball before revealing itself. He then chased the council camera back down the pipe.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

The wombat followed the camera back up the pipe to safety. Source: Bega Valley Shire Council.<\/p>\n

The footage was shared online this week by Bega Valley Council, who said it was “just another day\u2026 until it wasn\u2019t”.<\/p>\n

“The obstruction turned out to be a very curious wombat, apparently opting for one of our stormwater drains over its own burrow,” the council said.<\/p>\n

“Needless to say, the inspection was politely put on hold as our muddle-headed mate decided to chase the camera back up the pipe to see what all the fuss was about.<\/p>\n

“Thanks to our Water and Sewer Maintenance Officer for capturing the moment\u2026proof that no two days are ever quite the same out in the field.”<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Aussie rescuers save wombat stuck in drain<\/p>\n

Last year, a team of rescuers attending a flooded eight-metre-long drain in Nowra Hill on the NSW South Coast discovered a weakening wombat <\/a>poking her head just above the water. Eventually, she was freed and was relatively unharmed.<\/p>\n

In Australia, the majority of wildlife rescue work is done by volunteers, and providing veterinary medication, food, and housing for wild animals comes at a massive cost that can run into the thousands every month.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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