Western Ringtail Possums

Mandalay’s Crepuscular Critters: the Western Ringtail Possums

About Ringtail Possums

The Western Ringtail Possum, called Wawding in the Noongar dialect, is a small, critically endangered possum found only in southwest Western Australia, from Mandurah through to Albany. Usually found hiding amongst peppermint or eucalyptus trees, you can tell them apart from the common brushtail possum by their smaller size and thin, white-tipped prehensile tail which they use for holding food or branches.

Western Ringtail Possums are nocturnal and sleep in leafy dreys (nests) in tree-holes during the day. They are fairly sociable and share home ranges and nests. One of the most interesting facts about these mammals is that no one has ever been able to confirm how long ringtail possums gestates its young for. All we know is that births typically take place in winter, young emerge at about three months and suckle until six to seven months.

Habitat loss and fragmentation from urban development and mining have been the most immediate threats to their population loss, alongside introduced predators such as foxes, cats and domestic pets. It is believed that only 8,000 Western Ringtail Possums remain in the wild.

Ringtail Possums at Mandalay

Mandalay is home to one of Busselton’s biggest Western Ringtail Possum populations, with around 130 possums nestled in our beautiful peppermint trees. Because the trees offer a continuous, uninterrupted canopy, it means the possums can safely move around the park without having to come to the ground.

If you’re staying with us, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind to ensure we’re keeping our fellow residents safe in the park!

Western Ringtail Possums are crepuscular and usually appear at twilight, so be sure to keep an eye out and slow down when driving in the evenings.
If your pet is also staying in the park (we welcome dogs during certain months of the year), please keep them away from the possums and give the possums plenty of space.
Please refrain from feeding the possums, they’ve got plenty to feed on in the peppermint trees!

The best time to spot them is from dusk into the evening. Take your torch out and look for them hiding amongst the trees. Just remember to be quiet, we don’t want to scare them!

Possum Conservation

Busselton has some fantastic organisations and groups supporting the conservation of these endangered species.

FAWNA (Fostering and assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid) was established in 1984 for the purpose of providing the best care for orphaned, injured or abandoned wildlife. Their team of volunteer wildlife carers nurse baby possums back to health before a stint at the Possum Finishing School. Once they’ve returned to a healthy weight the possums are released back into the wild.

GeoCatch formed to support the natural environment of the Geographe Bay region. They often organise possum night stalks, education sessions and drey-building workshops to build awareness and safe places for possums to sleep.

What to do if you find an injured possum

If you find an injured or dead possum, always check its pouch for live young.
You can also phone FAWNA on 0438 526 660 or the DBCA Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055. They will put you in touch with the nearest wildlife rehabilitator that can take the animal into care.
Wrap them in a towel or put them in a box or bag and take them straight to a vet for examination. In most cases the vet will not charge and when able to, will hand them over to a carer for rehabilitation and release.
Alternatively, bring the possum to Reception and we will contact FAWNA.