A Possum’s Tale

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Gus came into our lives almost two and a half years ago. He is an old brush tail possum who, along with 3 others named Big Ears, Will and Zippy, lived in the natural bush area of our back yard .He came to my attention because it was 5pm on a hot October afternoon and he should have been safely tucked up in his hole but he was out in a gum tree.

As I slowly approached him, I noticed that his right eye was milky white and the other had a cloudy appearance. He was obviously going blind and could no longer compete with the others for food so he had to search for food in the daylight hours. It was then that I decided to leave out a bowl of fruit and water to supplement his diet. As the weeks passed I noted that he was out and about earlier and earlier. Every time I placed his food on the rock he seemed to magically appear. I tried to track his gum tree down but he was never in the same tree. A “possum” friend, Leonie, (who has been an invaluable source of knowledge) explained that in all probability he didn’t have a hole and was curling up in any gum tree and wrapping leaves around himself. Sadly this is the fate of many possums as they lose their homes due to housing development.

The following day I rang WIRES and ordered a possum box for him.

Life began to worsen for Gus. I could see that he had a raw area on his leg called Stress Dermatitis. To add to his miseries the cockatoos had begun to attack him in the gum trees. Not only did they screech in his face but they pecked at him. He was coming out as early as 1.30pm and therefore was a target. Twice I had seen him run head first into a rock when he had been frightened.

One night when I was late home after work, he came running along the fence to me and practically threw himself into my arms as if he was asking for help. Over the past months, gradually I had come closer and closer to him until he would take food from my hands. I had done this as I knew one day he would require medical treatment and I needed to be able to handle him. The dermatitis now extended the full length of his leg and his sight had obviously deteriorated.

That day had come. But what best to do?

Over the next couple of days we transformed the large natural bush cattery into a “possumry” with branches and walkways for him. That same morning we had collected soil and leaves as well as his droppings and placed them in his future home.  Next I set the cat trap with fruit and biscuits and he walked straight in. We took him immediately to Heathcote Veterinary Clinic where it was determined that he had no sight in either eye. I was told that he could not be returned to the bush.  It was either life in the “possumry” or euthanasia.

We travelled home with medicine for his dermatitis and placed him in his “possumry”. Anxiously, we left him to find his way around and work out his new home. That night I made numerous trips to see how he was faring. It took him a few days before he learned to climb into his possum box. Now he travels along the walkways and branches with ease. I forget that he can’t see. He allows himself to be patted and ointment placed on his leg. He greets me each day when I bring him a piece of his favourite scotch finger biscuit, as well as his plate of bananas, apples and carrot. He receives visitors well, especially when they have a tasty morsel to offer him. One of the biggest thrills I have had is when he holds my hand, his little hairy fingers in mine and he eats his fruit. It is a privilege to help this gentle native creature. My friend says he has a smile on his face and I agree with her.

Wendi Reis