A heartbreaking find on an elderly homeowner’s roof has triggered a stern $44,000 fine warning to Australians amid an increase in pesky invaders causing destruction on properties.
Wildlife rescuers were recently called out to a house in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges to tend to a possum that had been “purposely trapped” in the cage and left “out in the open”, with no protection from the sun or the cold overnight temperatures.
Fed up with the native creature causing a disturbance in their roof cavity, the homeowner had been keen to evict the cheeky animal, but was not entirely sure how to go about it, a spokesperson for the volunteer-run Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network (MRWN) told Yahoo News.
Another person had set up the trap to assist the pensioner, but “unfortunately no follow-up plan was put in place” for its welfare or release, they explained.
“Once the homeowner realised the possum had been caught, they did the right thing by reporting the situation to Wildlife Victoria so that help could be provided.”
Young brushtail possum suffers facial injuries from mesh cage
It is unknown exactly how long the possum was stuck in the cage, but it’s believed it had been confined for at least one night — possibly two — before rescuers arrived.
“The young brushtail possum had sustained facial injuries from trying to escape through the wire mesh of the trap and was showing signs of dehydration and stress from exposure,” the spokesperson said, adding the animal is currently being treated by a licensed wildlife carer in the area.
“Once he’s recovered and deemed fit for release, he’ll return to his original home range — within 50 metres of where he was found — and a possum box will be installed nearby to provide safe, alternative housing.”
It’s believed the possum had been confined in the cage for up to 48 hours before rescuers arrived. Source: Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network
Victorian homeowners face hefty fines if ‘strict’ rules broken
While it is illegal in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland to catch and release possums from roof spaces without an approved permit or licence, homeowners in Victoria are permitted to do so as long as they follow “very strict” regulations.
The rules are:
Traps must meet specific design standards to prevent injury. Ideally, a wire mesh box with mesh less than 19mm square.
Traps must never be set outdoors or in exposed areas, as this can cause severe stress, dehydration, or death.
All traps must be checked no more than two hours after sunrise.
Trapped possums must be released on the property on which they are captured. Relocating a trapped possum more than 50 metres from where it was captured is not permitted by law.
Breaching any of the above carries a penalty of up to $9,246 under the Wildlife Act 1975 and/or two years imprisonment or a $44,380 fine under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2016.
The elderly homeowner avoided a penalty and was instead educated about the correct legal process for managing possums in roof spaces.
Only licensed pest control experts can trap native wildlife in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Tradie and wildlife rescuer Rayan Elkassouf told Yahoo earlier this month there has been an increase in the number of possum infestations in major Aussie cities. Source: Supplied
Possum infestations increasing in major Aussie cities
Wildlife rescuers say the “most humane long-term solution” for those wanting to evict a possum from their roof is to install species-appropriate nest boxes around the property, and seal all entry points once they are certain no other animals remain inside the cavity.
“We recommend engaging a compassionate animal removal service, such as Compassionate Animal Rescue, who can assist with safe, lawful, and humane solutions that allow both homeowners and wildlife to coexist peacefully,” the MRWN spokesperson told Yahoo.
Tradie and wildlife rescuer Rayan Elkassouf told Yahoo earlier this month there has been an increase in the number of possum infestations in major Aussie cities.
Possum infestations are most common where increased urbanisation has drastically reduced possum habitat. Six of the top 10 regions with the highest activity of possums were in Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula, while the others were in Sydney.
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