Marzane Nieuwoudt and Olivia Evans spotted a dead wombat on the Beechworth-Wodonga Road when driving from Wodonga to Beechworth on Friday night.

On their return trip, the wombat was still on the road so they decided to check to see if had a baby.

“We pulled over to see whether it was a female and we listened for any movement,” Ms Nieuwoudt said yesterday.

“We heard faint movement and we knew something was going on.

“Olivia rolled her over and looked at the pouch.

“To our surprise, there was a baby inside.”

They wrapped it in a blanket and sought veterinary advice. It was later taken to the Kangaloola Wildlife Shelter at Yackandandah.

“We know she’s finally in good hands,” Ms Nieuwoudt said.

Shelter owner Glenda Elliott said the wombat, which had been named Bonnie Chicko, would eventually be released back into the wild.

“They did the best job they could to get the wombat here as fast as they could,” she said.

“People should check dead animals because babies often survive.”

Ms Elliott said Bonnie Chicko had bruising around her kidneys but should be fine.