Introducing Schmacko the Ringtail Possum
By pip_c
18 comments
I was walking along with the dogs this morning when I spotted a baby possum in the gutter. I thought he was dead at first, so I tried to keep the dogs away in case he had been rat poisoned, but when Frances sniffed him he began to squeak!
He didn’t appear to be injured, so I went up to the nearest door… which was answered by my kindly friend Glenda… who lent us a box and a towel.
I managed to get him into the box using the towel, and carried him home. “Schmacko” – so named because Frances wants to eat him – took up residence in the laundry, and I started making calls.
I called an old friend who is associated with WIRES – the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service. They put me on to the WIRES hotline.
Within the hour someone had arranged to come round to my place and collect the baby possum, who is of the ringtail variety. They are native to Australia.
He should be arriving in the next ten minutes, so wish me luck! Although I think luck has been on my side all morning.
I will give you all a progress report as soon as he has been and gone. Meanwhile, here are some pics of Schmacko the Ringtail Possum:
Well Schmacko has been collected. A lovely man took him away, to the vet, as he was wheezing a bit and had a hurt paw but seemed to be otherwise OK. From there he will go to a local possum carer. I hope I find out what happens to him.
Another progress report: I’ve just heard back regarding the fate of Schmacko. Unfortunately his shoulder was broken and he had to be euthanased. However, Alan (the man who came and collected Schmacko) commended me on a job well done and said that Schmacko is at peace now.
Rest in Peace Schmacko
12 Sep, 2010
6 likes
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Comments
I'm glad he didn't suffer too much Mavis.
12 Sep, 2010
He would have suffered for a lot longer if you hadn`t been so kind as to help him...what a lovely animal.
12 Sep, 2010
He certainly was Andrea. I couldn't just leave him in the gutter, I had to do something :o)
12 Sep, 2010
Well you tried your best Pip and what a grand job you did too, such a shame it had to be put to sleep but better than suffering I suppose. Do you think it might of been hit by a car.
12 Sep, 2010
You're to be commended on your efforts, Pip, even though the rescue didn't have a happy ending.
12 Sep, 2010
arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr bless him .and he was soooooooooo sweet . poor thing . u must have been so up set , i am just reading this xxxx
12 Sep, 2010
Oh Pip what a sad story but so well done to you for saving the poor little thing from any more pain. He was so sweet ... never seen one before so thanks for showing him. He's in possum heaven now telling everyone how fab you are!
12 Sep, 2010
What a shame they couldn't help him, but you did your best.
12 Sep, 2010
your little one was curled up and so I 'googled' them--- what a pretty little animal and you were so kind to look after him, are they as gentle as they look
12 Sep, 2010
Ah, that is so sad. He must have been hit by a vehicle...oh what a shame but well done you..at least he didn't die alone in the gutter in pain. What a cute little animal.....:(((
12 Sep, 2010
oh pip how sad, poor possum, such cute creatures to, must have been hit by a car maybe, could they not do anything more,,, you did your best anyway pip, well done x
12 Sep, 2010
You did your best Pip....
12 Sep, 2010
Thanks 6d, Bernieh, Cristina, Fluff, Hywel, Pam, Karensusan, Sandra and Bb...
I don't think he had been hit by a car, because he was quite intact with no visible injuries. Maybe his Mum had dropped him. We get a lot of possums in that particular street.
12 Sep, 2010
Aaah Pip. How sad, but you did what you could.
13 Sep, 2010
:o)
13 Sep, 2010
Aaaaaa that's so sad, the poor little creature. It was so nice of u to help it. I'd say it was lucky then that u happened to find it, even if it was just to take it out of it pain. Such a shame it was so injured & couldn't be helped.
Thank u for being so kind hearted.
16 Sep, 2010
It was a pleasure to help him, Angie.
16 Sep, 2010
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What a shame pip c but at least by you rescuing him his suffering wasn't prolonged.
12 Sep, 2010