WIRES Mid South Coast branch spokesperson, Sandy Collins, said both four-month-old puggles were found wandering on the road looking disoriented and lost when they were rescued.

“At four months of age and weighing just 500-600 grams, both should have been safely tucked into their burrows, waiting for their mother to return every 3-5 days to feed them milk,” Mrs Collins said.

“They were much too young to survive on their own. But these two became a bit too adventurous and exited their burrows and were unable to find their way back.”

One has been named Durras and the other, Eden.

Mrs Collins, who has been caring for the puggles, said they were both doing well since their rescue.

“When they initially came into care, they were fed every 2-3 days a specially-formulated echidna milk and kept indoors,” she said.

“Now, both are over 1kg and six months of age; they are outside in the special echidna enclosure getting used to the sights and sounds and being fed a special meat/milk mix.

“Eventually they will need to forage and dig for their own food, which will consist mainly of termites and ants.”

The echidnas will be released into the wild at approximately 8 months of age near where they were found.

Mrs Collins has called on anyone around Batemans Bay with any rotten pieces of wood to get in touch with the branch at wiresmidsouthcoast@gmail.com

If you see an injured, orphaned or sick native animal, call WIRES on 1300 094 737.