Struggling possum rescued by Aussie hero highlights sad threat to wildlife
The problem is ongoing in Australia and it's putting animals' lives at risk.
An Aussie man has been hailed a hero for rescuing a struggling possum who was unable to move after somehow managing to become entangled in some rubbish.
Heartbreaking video footage captured by the Brisbane man shows the animal lying on a path in "horrendous heat" on Monday with a plastic ring wrapped tightly around its neck — but sadly, it's a common problem, John Grant from WIRES told Yahoo News Australia.
"You alright buddy... you poor thing," the man can be heard saying as he slowly approaches the incapacitated marsupial.
The man was able to grab hold of the plastic ring — which he first thought was a sticky tape reel, but realised it was "way too thick" — and cut it off, freeing the possum who frantically fled into the nearby garden. The video then cuts to the possum walking slowly across the pavement as it attempts to regain some mobility.
"Thankfully it looks like he's made a full recovery and is chilling in his normal tree with plenty of shade," the Brisbane local shared alongside the video posted on Reddit. "Kept a close eye on him after this and gave him plenty of water," he added.
He said he had no idea "how my man got his head stuck" to begin with but suggested the animal could have "picked something up" from the childcare centre next door.
Rubbish-related injuries 'happen often'
Sadly, this sort of thing "happens frequently" and ring-shaped objects disposed of incorrectly are a major problem facing Aussie wildlife, Megan Fabian from the Australia Wildlife Society previously told Yahoo News Australia.
In May, a video of a man removing a beer can from the head of a red-bellied black snake went viral. Fishing line is also a major threat to wildlife. Plastic rings from bottles and PPE masks are known to entangle birds and earlier this year, a NSW man found a native bowerbird in his backyard with the plastic ring stuck in its mouth and around its head. Rubber bands, hair ties and dome-shaped lids are also proving troublesome.
WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor agreed plastic entanglement is "an increasingly common rescue callout" for volunteers, but sadly not all wildlife can be captured and helped, and will inevitably die from its injuries, she said.
"It is a reminder to the public and to industry to please always dispose of all plastics, netting, fishing line & hooks responsibly as they are increasingly causing damage to our native wildlife — often with fatal outcomes," a WIRES spokesperson added.
Brisbane man's actions praised
The man's quick thinking earned him praise from Brisbane locals who were glad the possum was able to walk away.
"You're an amazing human and the world is a richer place with you in it," said one on Reddit. "I’m so glad you saved him! It's great he got some water too. What an angel you are".
Meanwhile, a third pointed out, that possums are nocturnal meaning they usually sleep during the day. "He must be exhausted," they added.
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