Jeremiah possum’s lucky escape

Wildlife News with Donna Brennan, Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS)  phone 5441 6200  www.wilvos.org.au

We have such wonderful native animal species in Australia.  Sometimes we take them for granted, but overseas visitors are always enthralled.  Though possums may seem familiar to some, others are fascinated.  Beautiful little Jeremiah, pictured, was lucky to be found after a python had eaten his mother, at Kulangoor.  Jeremiah was taken to a neighbour who then called WILVOS.  I was on Hotline at the time and one of our carers headed off immediately to pick up the little joey.  

Though understandably traumatised, after some warm, dark, quiet therapy from Inez, Jerry drank some special milk formula and soon settled in to the spoilt life.  Needing overnight feeds, once settled, Jerry was brought to me.  One of my skills is getting up at 2am, feeding, and instantly going back to sleep!  Not everyone can do this and carers look after wildlife that best suits  their work hours.

Wildlife come and go but they are all special.  As Jerry came into care, Hoppy aka Sika the swamp wallaby was released.  She came to me through the WILVOS 5441 6200 hotline about four months ago.  This lucky little joey was fortunate in having someone know to stop and check the pouch when seeing Hoppy’s dead mother on the road.  

The children named her Hoppy when they settled her into a ‘pouch’ in their car.  Bringing her straight to me meant that she received the necessary care quickly.  This makes such a difference in rehabilitation, as it is such a stressful event for a little joey.  This week Hoppy was released.  She was so relaxed as she grazed in the bush, and it was lovely to see her back where she belongs.

I’m sure Jerry is also going to continue to be a wonderful ‘patient’, and each animal brings great rewards during their time in care.