Colac - Otway wildlife group

16/08/2026

What to do if u find a baby possum

🐾 FOUND A BABY POSSUM? HERE’S WHAT TO DO ❤️

If you find a possum joey alone, don’t assume it has been abandoned. The mother may be nearby, or the joey may have fallen from her back or out of the nest.

🩷 If you find a possum joey:

• Keep it warm, dark and quiet. Place it gently in a soft towel or pillowcase and put it in a secure box.

• Use a wrapped warm water bottle or heat pack beside the joey for warmth — never directly against it.

• DO NOT give it cow’s milk, formula, water or food. Incorrect feeding can cause aspiration, digestive problems and even death.

• If the joey is cold, injured, bleeding, covered in ants/flies, or crying continuously, it needs urgent help.

• Check the area for mum, but don’t leave the joey exposed to predators or traffic while waiting.

• Contact a licensed wildlife carer or wildlife rescue organisation as soon as possible. They can advise you on the safest next step.

⚠️ If the joey is found with a dead adult possum, always check the pouch carefully. There may be a baby still attached or inside.

🙏 Please don’t attempt to raise a possum joey yourself. They have very specific feeding, warmth and care requirements, and early professional intervention gives them the best chance of survival and eventual release.

10/02/2026

If your able to help

07/01/2026

Please dont forget to leave out water for our wildlife big and small as the heat will be affecting them all , some tips on water stations

05/01/2026

☀️ Stay safe in the extreme heat 🥵

Signs of heat stress;

Possums • 🌲 Possums will often be seen on the ground, out in the open during daylight hours or even be unresponsive when suffering from heat stress. Ringtail possums are more prone to heat stress than brushtail possums.

Koalas • 🐨 Due to a lack of energy from heat exhaustion, koalas will commonly be seen sitting at the base of a tree, or low down in a tree. They may appear lethargic or have their head down.

Birds • 🦜 Exhibit open mouth panting, wing spread out and not flying when heat stressed. They also will be on the ground, unable to hold themselves up on a branch.

Bats • 🦇 When suffering from heat stress, this nocturnal species will be seen out in daylight, often on or low to the ground.

Kangaroos & Wallabies • 🦘 Lethargy, reluctance to move, salivating, and lying down without quickly moving away when startled.

Reptiles • 🦎 Seeking refuge in cool, dark places such as under bushes, burrows, or rocks.

Snakes • 🐍 Often snakes will enter garages or open gaps to enter homes to find a cool spot to shelter. If this occurs please contact Snake Catcher Colac on 0498-063-229

Call it in 🚨 • injured, unwell, heat stress & orphan to Wildlife Victoria or call us directly on 0498-063-229