The wombats so cute tourists have to promise not to take selfies with them: Holidaymakers must pledge not to approach furry animals because it makes them distressed
- Officials in Maria Island, Tasmania are trying to protect the wombat species
- A pledge in several languages including Mandarin has been displayed there
- It asks tourists to promise they won't chase wombats with selfie sticks
Tourists arriving on a Tasmanian island are being asked to promise they won't chase wombats with selfie sticks.
Officials in Maria Island are trying to protect the native species, fearing that tourists rushing up to the animals and taking selfies can cause them distress.
A pledge in several languages including Mandarin has been displayed on a wall at the ferry terminal and tourists are being encouraged to study it when they arrive.
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Tourists arriving on a Tasmanian island are being urged to pledge they won't get too close to wombats
Officials in Maria Island are trying to protect the species, fearing that tourists rushing up to the animals and taking selfies can cause them distress
A pledge in several languages including Mandarin has been displayed on a wall at the ferry terminal on the island and tourists are being encourage to study it when they arrive
It reads: 'I take this pledge to respect and protect the furred and feathered residents of Maria. I will remember you are wild and pledge to keep you this way.
'I promise I will respectfully enjoy the wonders of your beautiful island home, from the wharf, to the Painted Cliffs, to the rocky bluffs, haunted bays and mystery of Maria's ruins.
'Wombats, when you trundle past me, I pledge I will not chase you with my selfie stick or get too close to your babies. I will not surround you or try and pick you up.
'I will make sure I don't leave rubbish or food from my morning tea. I pledge to let you stay wild.'
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Discussing the new pledge, East Coast Tourism chief executive Ruth Dowty told ABC Radio: 'The tourists are in love with the wombats; so in love that we need to give them some education about how to interact with them.'
She said the wombats 'pretty much ignore people, but people run up to them and they don't run away.'
The pledge reads: 'Wombats, when you trundle past me, I pledge I will not chase you with my selfie stick or get too close to your babies. I will not surround you or try and pick you up.'
