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canetoad

(17,160 posts)
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 08:24 PM Mar 10

Look what Gibby found on the beach this morning

This is Gibby


We're coming off an extreme heatwave. I walked with a friend and his dog early this morning. At one point, Gibby ran onto the rocks and started looking for something. I couldn't see anything and we kept walking. Then Gibby started becoming agitated and barking so I went to investigate.

In a water -filled crack in the rocks was what looked like a dead rat - but it wasn't. It was a little ring-tailed possum - the cutest things under the sun and a protected species. I picked it up - it was alive - just. It's little tail gripped my fingers. Took it home zipped into a shopping bag. They are nocturnal and I had no idea of how long, and indeed how, it came to be on the rocks.

It's a bit hard to make out the possum. That's his right front claw in the middle. Just right of, and above is his ear with a dark line at top right of his ear which is his closed eye. Snout pointing right.



Managed to get a little water past his teeth with a syringe. As I write, be is curled up and sleeping in a covered tub in the shower recess. I trust Gibby but there's a limit.

Update: Just had a call from a wildlife carer who is on the way to pick him up. I'm glad he is going to someone who knows how to care from him.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Look what Gibby found on the beach this morning (Original Post) canetoad Mar 10 OP
That possum sure was lucky you and Gibby came along to rescue him! Diamond_Dog Mar 10 #1
awwwwwww, how wonderful that you and Gibby rescued the little niyad Mar 10 #2
Thank you for your kindness. CaptainTruth Mar 10 #3
You and GIbby did a wonderful deed today. I hope the little critter survives. brer cat Mar 10 #4
Oh yes, she had several treats canetoad Mar 10 #6
Awwww. He's a lucky baby that someone caring rescued him! CousinIT Mar 10 #5
There are some good pictures here canetoad Mar 10 #7
What a lucky little possum! nt Phoenix61 Mar 10 #8
Where was he found? Did I miss that? efhmc Mar 10 #9
In a rockpool! canetoad Mar 10 #10
Thanks for the clarification on its habitat and thnaks for taking care of it. efhmc Mar 10 #11
Well done!! 2naSalit Mar 10 #12
I just gave her canetoad Mar 10 #14
As long as she appreciates it! 2naSalit Mar 10 #17
What a cutie! Gibby too! I hope you'll be able to get info on his/her recovery from liberalla Mar 10 #13
Yes, I will. canetoad Mar 10 #15
Good to hear! Thank you! liberalla Mar 10 #16
Awww! Your adorable pup is a hero - participated in wildlife rescue Rhiannon12866 Mar 10 #18
Hi Rhi canetoad Mar 11 #19
Wildlife warriors Flying Fox Mar 12 #20
Hey Sis! canetoad Mar 12 #21

Diamond_Dog

(32,000 posts)
1. That possum sure was lucky you and Gibby came along to rescue him!
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 08:33 PM
Mar 10

Well done! Hope the little guy makes it. You did a wonderful thing 🙂

brer cat

(24,565 posts)
4. You and GIbby did a wonderful deed today. I hope the little critter survives.
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 08:47 PM
Mar 10

I hope you gave Gibby a treat!

canetoad

(17,160 posts)
6. Oh yes, she had several treats
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 08:56 PM
Mar 10

She was just not going to let us keep walking. What a girl.

The wildlife carers have just been to pick him up. Said the first priority is to give him some electrolytes; it's been wicked hot here. At least he's alive and in good hands.

CousinIT

(9,245 posts)
5. Awwww. He's a lucky baby that someone caring rescued him!
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 08:52 PM
Mar 10

Hope he makes it and has a wonderful possum life!

canetoad

(17,160 posts)
10. In a rockpool!
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 09:55 PM
Mar 10

I'm in SE Australia; in the mornings I usually walk the dog at a small beach village 5kms away. There are several reefs and rock platforms bordering the beach and it was on these rocks that my dog found the possum.

I can't imagine how he got there; maybe a red fox - there are plenty in the dunes. Maybe a big sea bird. Maybe he made his own way down the scrub in search of water. I have no idea.

canetoad

(17,160 posts)
14. I just gave her
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 10:28 PM
Mar 10

One of her favourite treats: a frozen solid chicken heart. To each their own, I guess.

liberalla

(9,248 posts)
13. What a cutie! Gibby too! I hope you'll be able to get info on his/her recovery from
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 10:27 PM
Mar 10

the wildlife carers. If you do, please post and let us know. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's curious about how the little guy does.

You did a good thing!

Rhiannon12866

(205,405 posts)
18. Awww! Your adorable pup is a hero - participated in wildlife rescue
Sun Mar 10, 2024, 11:27 PM
Mar 10

Kudos to Gibby and to you for saving this precious little life!

Flying Fox

(2 posts)
20. Wildlife warriors
Tue Mar 12, 2024, 02:05 AM
Mar 12

It's incredible the little feller was still alive!
Well done to you & Gibby for saving him, for being right time, right place, right person & right dog. The wildlife carer is now his best chance for survival, will look forward to hearing how he's doing.

Good on you Sis xxxxx

canetoad

(17,160 posts)
21. Hey Sis!
Tue Mar 12, 2024, 03:48 AM
Mar 12

I'm THAT proud of Gib. She was so determined to get my attention. Gracie, her big old poodle friend was there; she had no clue what was going on but made no move to harm the possum.

It was in a small pool about halfway between the car park steps and where we found the octopus. The wildlife carer will let me know how it's going.

Catch ya soon.... xxx

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