Hi our newest residents have settled in well, 2 Western Ringtailed Possums 1 male (Poss) & 1 female (Mobi). After about 1 week their cage door was opened and they started to explore their new home in earnest!
Mobi moved out quickly but Poss is now enjoying his “green room” with a view up a Peppermint Tree and stills loves a piece of apple!
See below pics of Poss in front of his box and Mobi whilst in her portable cage before release day.
Yelverton Brook is leading the way in wildlife tourism now releasing the endangered Western Ringtailed Possum back into the protected conservation sanctuary here in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Last week saw 1 x male & 1 x female Ringtailed Possums get to know their new home – called a soft release by leaving them in their cages for 4+ days getting used to the sounds & smells of the bushland. Giving them their favourite food Peppermint leaves and 1/4 of an apple per day with water as well. Then we open the door on the 4th evening as they are nocturnal and place a branch up into a Peppermint tree so they can come & go at their own pace.
The female moved out the fist night the male the 2nd evening, we have left a possum box in the tree for their use if they need it.
This last week of April 2007 saw the second pair in a nearby location near our chalets ungoing the same process. But this time they both did not move out after the first night. Our son checked on them and saw then feeding outside in the tree tops quite happily.
Will see in the morning if they have moved out!
These possums came into care as orphans and been raised by local fauna carers with very special knowledge and a passion for native australian wildlife – Yelverton Brook is able to offer a safe predator free home.
Yelverton Brook has been sponsering the local wildlife carers award for 5 years helping to recognize the wonderful work these dedicated carers provide. The prize is a selection of local wine that can either be enjoyed by the carer or raffled to raise money to cover their ongoing costs with raising these animals.
The local wildlife carers website is- http://www.fawna.com.au/index.html
