Possum joey's this age would normally
still be in Mums pouch, and do 
not
normally leave the pouch even after Mum has passed away.
Another
little Mountain brushtail arrived 10 days later, this time a lady
from Mullumbimby driving to work noticed a dead possum on the
side of the road. Driving back home that evening she again noticed
the possum, so stopped to check just in case. She found a very
dehydrated and frightened little possum joey. That is how "Kassie"
the second little possum came in to care. The third possum joe,
this time from Tyagarah, was found by a gentleman when he discovered
a dead possum close to his driveway, which is situated by the
highway, he checked the pouch, and that is how "Fang"
came in to care 9 days later.
They were all cared for by Lee, and when they 
were
furred and able to regulate their own temperature they were introduced.
It did not take long for the 3 of them to find each others pouches,
and before long they were all in one pouch most the time.Mountain
Brushtail's are solitary animals, but as very young and juveniles
they would in the wild spend all their time with Mum, how sad
for them to be growing up alone. So as carers we try if at all
possible to unite them with others of their own kind, and same
age. Kessy was lucky, she had another female and a male as companion.After
about 7 weeks they needed a bigger space to move about and be
outside in safety, and that meant a large aviary, and a possum
box big enough to accommodate 3 juveniles.They are seen here as
they grow. They are still in care and will spend some time yet
in the aviary learning how to find food, and how to be the acrobats
that they will need to be when released.
30th Sept. 2004
This
picture taken after 3 months in care, being strictly nocturnal
animals they come out at night, climbing branches building muscle,
and learning how to recognise the noise of the bush
25th January 2005
Kessie, Kassie and Fang have been released, they are still returning
to their aviary in the bush every few days for reassurance, but
slowly venturing further each night. I guess it would be hard
finding a hollow log for 3 Mountain Brushtail's to fit in, but
I am sure they will eventually find their own way. This possum
specie stay with their mother for a very long time, in the case
of orphans, they may take longer to feel secure in the wild, and
as carers we have to make sure they have plenty of time to explore,
and still have access to security, as they become adults and eventually
leave for good.
think warrants mention as one of the memorable ones.This little female was found by a tourist from Germany, he was driving through Mullumbimby on a cold winter evening, when he noticed this tiny possum walking along the road, as the car lights picked her up he stopped to investigate what it was. Not knowing anything about Australian native animals, he knocked on the door of the first house, and the occupants were able to tell him that it was a tiny possum.Her fur had not yet grown, and her eyes were still closed, how she had not gone too cold is a wonder. As to what happened to her mother we have no idea, she was never found. When she was brought in to care she was in fairly good condition although cold, she was immediately given warmth and nutrient and have since thrived in Lee's care.