Mid September

Following in the ringtail possum scamper-scamper, lightly scamper footsteps of Ada, Agnès, Hilda, and Violet (from the first group), and Sid, Noodles, Feeney, and Finnius (from the second group), on Sunday, it was Dante, Kitri, Norris, Norbert’s moment to move from our outdoor enclosure to our purpose-built soft release enclosure, located, this time, on a private property on Staughton Vale. Dante, Kitri, and the brothers Norris and Norbert came into care six months ago, on the 15th of March, which is easy to recall as Kitri was named after the female lead in The Australian Ballet’s performance of Don Quixote, for the delicate, fast skip of her lapping technique as she drank.

Working with Janine and her band of Koala Clancy members and volunteers, we plan to release two groups of eight ringtail possums a year, either side of the blaze of summer and the scarcity of food winter, so as to give the possums the best possible chance of weaving long, wild lives.

Upon a chocolate plaque, the words, ‘Happy Soft Release Day’, atop a layered lemon and yuzu sponge cake with raspberry compote, to mark the occasion, and say thank-you to Janine and the Koala Clancy members who will be putting in fresh browse and water for the possums daily. It was a big step closer to wild for this third quartet and it wouldn’t be possible without your support and care.

With a generous spray of white flowering coastal tea tree and grevillea for their ‘modified fowl house upon a trailer’ housewarming, Dante, Kitri, Norris, and Norbert appeared to take it all in their stride. All four nibbled on the browse as nearby nest boxes were quietly installed in several of the surrounding trees. When it is time to open the hatch, a wonder awaits them. Their original nest box with all their smells is in the tree closest to the trailer; another went up near a wattle rope bridge; and one went up in a magnificent yellow gum.

We’re going to miss their energy in the back garden enclosure, but we’re elated they’ve made it thus far. From their first weigh in (to check their progress) to their final one, these quiet moments let us observe them up close and are a beautiful rare moment of direct interaction between us and them.

This might not be much, in the scheme of things, but it is something we can do, and something we can stick to, and hopefully it encourages other people to think about what shape their own contribution or act of reciprocity can take. Planting native species for wildlife; planting especially for wildlife carers to harvest browse; joining community weeding, planting, and sowing days; write letters to your local representatives to influence public debate. Because individual actions matter and hope is an action.

In addition to their charm, ringtail possums have long, sensitive whiskers, two thumbs upon their front feet, and envious prehensile tails. These marvellous little future pollinators, may they lead long, healthy lives.

Here’s to the leaf-consuming fuel-reducers!

Until next time, please enjoy this night camera enclosure footage, in which they loop, leap, and often link tails so that each can reach a sprig of this or a spray of that; the squeeze to get out of the nest box hole two at the one time; and rewind the clock to the month of April, where it all began, and taste the seasonal browse of autumn.

Image credit: Weighing Norbert to chart his progress. There are simpler ways of weighing joeys (in a folded over pouch), but this little basket enables us to share a moment getting to know them and observe their movements on the front table.