Stella the Maremma sheepdog is just 16 months old but acts as a big bundle of love and care at the Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary.

She has the amazing ability to know when a wombat is feeling sick and will protect it at a distance.

Stella has recently been guarding a sick wombat she found, which was then discovered to be ill with pneumonia.

Wildlife carer Donna Stepan told Storyful Maremmas are bred to “guard what they are raised with” and Stella took her role at the sanctuary very seriously.

“(Stella) arrived at the sanctuary at seven months and spent her first night with the younger wombats and from that day onwards, it is wombats that she protects,” Stepan said.

“The Maremma seems to know when an animal is not well physically. It is an incredible trait and amazing to see Stella work the sanctuary with the wombats.

“Stella will also, as in this video stay close to a recovering sick wombat, until she feels they are healthy enough to completely fend for themselves, then she will tend her attention elsewhere. At present Stella patrols during the night and early morning hours when I’m busy with younger wombats inside the house and if she finds a wombat in need of help, her bark and behaviour tells me that I am needed. It is an incredible relationship between man and man’s best friend.”

Stepan said that Stella has found nine wombats in this way and is a “priceless” resident at the sanctuary. Credit: YouTube/Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary via Storyful