Wildlife live amongst us, or is it us who live amongst the wildlife?
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Whichever way you look at it, we all need to care about our wildlife to ensure they exist for future generations.
A beautiful example of how local individuals are caring for our wildlife was evident at Ingenia Holidays White Albatross Nambucca Heads caravan park recently.
Resident Patricia called WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue Education Service Inc) when she learned the old camp kitchen was to be demolished.
Her concern was for three brushtail possums who were living in the brick chimney stacks; mum possum and her joey in one chimney stack and an adult male possum in the other.
As a local WIRES member I responded to this job and assessed the situation.
Then together with Patricia and the park management we came up with a plan to move the possums from harm's way and release them back safely after the demolition.
The park grounds' maintenance team installed two possum boxes in the bush nearest to the camp kitchen ready for the new occupants.
In the days leading up to the demolition three possum traps were set, hoping all three would be caught and cared for for only a short time 'til they could be released back after the chimneys were demolished.
The adult male possum and joey were trapped on the first night, and then the next night before demolition the trap was set again for mum possum.
Early on the morning of the scheduled demolition Patricia called to advise the trap was empty - mum possum was still inside the chimney.
Thankfully the demolition crew - Ausconstruct - was caring and patient. They didn't start on the chimney straight away, giving mum possum time to escape.
But in the meantime the amazing WIRES Nambucca Valley possum team rallied together at short notice, and off they all headed to the caravan park to assist mum possum if needed.
This dedicated possum team are all volunteers who have other commitments such as jobs, children and other animals in care, but they all went without question straight away to the park to assist.
Fortunately mum possum did escape the chimney with the noise of demolitions before injury - or worse - and scampered for shelter under a demountable structure away from danger.
Then the last piece of the plan was for dad possum and joey to be returned and released at the park in the evening, which went perfectly.
I have received an update from Patricia and possums have been seen near the possum boxes.
This was a time-consuming and a jointly cooperative rescue plan and I am proud of all involved.
It was highly successful - a perfect outcome for our possums.
Sincere thanks to Patricia, Darren, Rosie, Paula, Kristina, Neale, Ben and the demolition crew.
If you would like to be involved with rescues and caring for our wildlife please go online today and take that first step, it's a privilege to be wildlife volunteer. For more information visit https://www.wires.org.au/rescue/become-a-rescuer or call WIRES 1300 094 737.
