Western Pygmy Possum, Cercartetus concinnus in the wild. Ian R McCann/ Museums Victoria
Wildlife rescuer Darren Darch is hoping to draw attention to the Western Pygmy Possum, a species vulnerable to habitat loss which is often found in Esperance and Ravensthorpe back yards.
“It inhabits heath, semi-arid woodlands and shrubland areas dominated with Banksia, Bottlebrush, Melaleuca and Grevillea,” Mr Darch said.
“So if you have any of these plants in your yard you could have this little one.
“The diet of this possum is insects and nectar with insects being the biggest part. They are also great little pollinators, helping to regenerate our bush.”
Mr Darch said they were distinguishable from mice because they had larger ears and a curly tail.
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Better known as a snake catcher, Mr Darch said he was happy to respond to wildlife rescue calls of any kind.
He has been nursing a pair of Western Pygmy Possum brought in separately about six weeks ago, and another rescued at Castletown when it was almost 2cm long after a cat had killed its mother.
Mr Darch said the possums would soon be released in one of four bush locations approved by DBCA.
“We always make sure those bush locations have got the main four types of plants that they eat,” he said.
“Under DBCA regulations we must have a letter of approval to release in an area.”
Mr Darch can be contacted via the Facebook group Fauna for the Future, or by phoning 0404 387 215.
