RESCUE ADVICE

Possums & Gliders

Helping sick, injured and orphaned possums and gliders

Possums and gliders that are found on the ground and/or during the day must always be reported – they are nocturnal animals, and this is abnormal behaviour that is often due to sickness or rat bait poisoning.

Possums in particular are the Australian marsupial most often seen by city dwellers, as it is one of few that has to adapted to cities and human-modified environments. Around human habitations, common brushtails are inventive and determined foragers with a liking for fruit trees, vegetable gardens and even kitchen raids.

If you find an injured or sick possum or glider, please call our 24/7 Rescue Line on 0418 628 483.

It is operated by volunteers at WIRES. They will alert our team and a trained rescuer will be out as soon as possible.

Possums & Gliders In The Hunter

Common Ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and Common Brushtail (Trichosurus vulpecula) possums are two of the most common species we rescue and rehabilitate. These species thrive in cities and a wide range of natural and human-modified environments as determined, opportunistic foragers.

Throughout the Hunter Valley, we are lucky enough to encounter several species of native glider; the most common of which are the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).

Common Rescue Questions

The most common reasons for a possum rescue is a cat or dog attack or orphaned joey. The most common reasons for a glider is entanglement from wire, attack by a cat or dog or stuck in an unsuitable habitat.

If you find an injured or orphaned possum or glider:

If you can contain it, please take to your nearest vet. Use gloves or a towel, and gently place the possum in a ventilated box. Keep it quiet and away from pets until help arrives. Please only do so if you can without putting yourself or the animal at risk.

If you can’t contain it or take it to a vet please call our 24/7 rescue hotline on 0418 628 483 (0418NATIVE)

We often receive calls regarding possums who have taken up residence in peoples roof cavities, sheds and other strange places. We are unable to relocate these possums, as the vast majority of possums die after being translocated from their territory. You will need to get the possum’s entry point fixed so the possum cannot re-enter. By law, the possum will be released in the same area.

If a possum has made its home in your roof, follow these steps to remove the possum and ensure that it does not return.

1. Provide an alternative home for the possum by constructing a sturdy, weatherproof see our page How to Build a Possum Box.

2. Where possible, get inside your roof and locate the possum’s nest. The nest, which has the scent of the possum, should be placed in the new possum box to encourage the possum to its new home.

3. Securely fix the possum-house to a tree in or near your yard. Place it at least 4 metres from the ground so the possum will be out of reach of domestic cats and dogs.

4. To encourage the possum to investigate its new home, put half an apple, banana or a cob of corn in or near the possum box.

5. Trim any branches that overhang the roof to remove access to your roof.

6. Spread some quassia chips throughout the roof cavity to repel the possum. These can usually be found at hardware stores, or a local pharmacy. If you can’t find quassia chips, you could repel the possum by spreading eight blocks of camphor or one or two boxes of mothballs throughout the roof cavity. Do not use both camphor and moth balls as they react chemically with each other.

7. Place a light in the roof cavity and keep it switched on for 3 days and nights. The combination of the light and the smell should drive the possum out of your roof and hopefully into the possum box you have provided.

8. If you do not hear the possum for a few nights, it has probably found a new home. To prevent the possum from returning, block off the access points into your roof with timber, chicken wire or both. Night-time is the best time to block off the access points as the possum will have left to forage for food. Do not block off the access points unless you are certain the possum or possums have left your roof.

If this does not deter the possum, it may need to be trapped. Note that under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, it is illegal to kill or catch and release possums without a licence.

Members of Hunter Wildlife Rescue can not remove possums from inside roofs, wall cavities, under houses etc. You will need to call a licensed fee-for-service pest control company such as:

Amalgamated Pest Control – 4943 9999
Possum Plus – (Greg) – 1300 164 831 or 0432433784
Aristocrat Pest Control (Peter) – 0408862859

Possum joeys require expert care from trained and licensed wildlife carers. It is illegal to keep native wildlife without the proper permits, and attempting to care for them yourself can cause more harm than good.

Please don’t feed injured, orphaned, or distressed possums. Their dietary needs are very specific. For example, ringtail possums can become seriously ill from eating fruit or other unsuitable foods.

If you find a joey:

  • Gently place it in a secure, soft container, such as a pillowcase (tied at the top) or a ventilated box lined with a towel.

  • Cover the container with a towel to block out light and reduce stress.

  • Keep the animal in a quiet, dark, and warm place — away from people, noise, pets, and other disturbances.

  • Do not handle, cuddle, photograph, or expose the joey to pets, no matter how gentle they are.

If the joey is furless (a “pinkie”) or feels cold:

  • Place a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in cloth next to it inside the container to help maintain body temperature.

Possums and gliders that are found on the ground and/or during the day must always be reported – they are nocturnal animals, and this is abnormal behaviour that is often due to sickness or rat bait poisoning.

Please call Hunter Wildlife Rescue 24 hours, 7 days a week on 0418 628 483.

Hunter Wildlife Rescue volunteers are unable to relocate a possum who has taken up residence in peoples roof cavities, sheds and other strange places. The vast majority of possums die after being translocated from their territory.

In New South Wales, the removal and relocation of brushtail possums is regulated by law under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Only licensed wildlife controllers, often pest management professionals with specific permits, are allowed to trap and relocate possums from properties.

This is because:

  • Relocation must follow strict rules — for example, brushtail possums can only be released within 50 metres of where they were caught, as they are highly territorial.

  • Improper relocation can cause stress, injury, or death to the possum.

  • Wildlife rescue licences (like those held by our volunteers) cover sick, injured, or orphaned animals — not healthy animals causing property issues.

You will need to call a licensed fee-for-service pest control company such as:

  • Amalgamated Pest Control – 4943 9999
  • Possum Plus – (Greg) – 1300 164 831 or 0432433784
  • Aristocrat Pest Control (Peter) – 0408862859

Entanglement is one of the most common reasons for rescue. Never attempt to remove a glider (or any animal) from barbed wire yourself. This often worsens the situation for the animal and should be left to specifically trained members of our rescue crew.

Please call Hunter Wildlife Rescue 24 hours, 7 days on 0418 628 483.

No, feeding possums is not recommended. Human foods, such as bread, fruit, meat, or pet food, can be harmful to their health. Even foods that seem harmless, like banana or oats, can lead to serious issues such as malnutrition, obesity, or bone disease, particularly in gliders and ringtail possums.

Feeding possums disrupts their natural behaviours, making them dependent on humans and less likely to forage for themselves. It can also lead to aggressive behaviour and encourage them to enter homes, creating conflict.

Feeding sites often attract multiple animals, increasing the risk of disease transmission (such as mange or parasites), dependency, and territorial fights.

Instead of feeding, the best way to support possums is by planting native species in your garden to provide natural food sources and habitat. Lilly pillies, eucalyptus, coastal tree tree, bottlebrush and grevilleas are all favourite garden foods of possums.

Separate the animals immediately and call Hunter Wildlife Rescue 24 hours, 7 days on 0418 628 483. Even small bites or scratches can lead to serious infections and need urgent treatment.

Gliders and possums that come into contact with cats MUST come into our care to be treated with antibiotics to stave off infection. One bite from a cat left untreated will likely kill the possum.  You often won’t see the bite mark through the fur. Dogs are more likely to shake the possum or glider, causing internal damage.

Tips For Living With Possums

Possums are a protected species in New South Wales and an important part of our native ecosystem. While they can sometimes become uninvited guests in our homes, there are safe and humane ways to live alongside them. Living peacefully with possums is possible — it just takes a little understanding and compassion. They’ve adapted to our urban spaces because we’ve taken over much of theirs.

If There’s a Possum in Your Roof

  • Don’t block entry while the possum is inside. This can trap them, causing injury or death.

  • Wait until after dark (when possums leave to forage), then seal the entry point securely.

  • To encourage them to move on, place a light or a strong-smelling substance like camphor or mothballs in the roof cavity temporarily — but only once you’re sure there are no babies inside.

Prevent Future Possum Problems

  • Trim tree branches away from the roof to limit access.

  • Install possum-proof guards (like sheet metal collars) around trunks or poles they’re using to climb.

  • Ensure all vents, eaves, and holes are properly covered or repaired

Provide Alternatives

  • Consider installing a possum nest box (for brushtails and gliders) or a drey (for ringtails) in a tree away from your house. This gives them a safe and legal alternative to your roof space.

  • Grow native plants like grevilleas, lilly pillies, or banksias to provide natural food and shelter.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

  • Never feed possums. Human food can cause illness and encourage problem behaviour.

  • Don’t relocate possums. In NSW, brushtail possums can only be relocated up to 50 metres from where they were found. They are territorial and relocating them without a licence is illegal and often fatal for the animal.