Rare white wombat nursed back to health in Australia

He was found thirsty, tired and close to death by sheep shearers working on nearby property.

But the rare white wombat was taken in by a wildlife volunteer in south Australia, and nursed back to health.

Now the Southern hairy-nosed wombat, who's called Polar, is on the mend.

Wildlife experts say they will now use Polar to help educate people about wombats, and in a couple of years he will be placed him in a breeding programme to produce more animals like him.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats can grow up to 100 cm (40 inches) and when fully developed they can weigh between 18 to 32 kg (40 to 68 pounds).