WILDLIFE MOUNTAIN

MOUNTAIN BRUSHTAIL POSSUM INJURED AT BACKPACKERS.

This Mountain Brushtail Possum came in to care after being found in Byron Bay at a local back packers. His name is Peter and he even has a girlfriend. He arrived with a note telling us all about him, and asking for his return when he was once again well.

How he had been injured is anyone's guess, as is often the case, we do not see these critters getting in to trouble. His wound was deep but very clean, he was taken to the vet, but the vet was unable to stitch the wound together, there was simply not enough skin. So he was treated with antibiotic injections, now that can be hard with an adult possum, they do not enjoy the needle, I can not blame them I do not either. In Peters case though, he did not mind as long as I gave him a banana to munch, I was allowed to inject him with no problems.

He was a model patient, and I took him back to the Backpackers after a month in care his wound was still slightly open, but keeping him longer would have compromised his release. I spoke to the security guard that had brought him in to care, and he was more than happy to keep an eye on Peter.

I was most surprised when taking him back to see where he actually lived. His favorite spot was at the communal kitchen, next to a trellis leading in to the kitchen. Craig the security guard told me that Peter sat there every night looking for a hand out, which he of course recieved from just about all the tourists. He is quite a celebrity at Byron Bay, and I am sure he will continue living out his days being a very spoilt, but happy possum.