Meet Peppe, Poppe & Peppa,

Peppe - Arrived at Amaris at what was to be his forever home. He only had one eye. (you won’t see photos of him showing his missing eye) He came from a carer in Bunbury who didn’t have the space to keep him. My new big aviary was in the process of being built. Feeding time became a cherished ritual, as I offered him a variety of leaves, flowers, and fruits, carefully selected to mimic his natural diet. His diet had consisted of inappropriate food. His delicate hands now reached out to grasp the offerings, and I marveled at the intricate beauty of nature's design.

Poppe - arrived as a friend for Peppe. Also considered non releasable as she was missing the end of her tail. The curly end of a ringtail possum, known as its prehensile tail, is crucial for its mobility, balance, foraging, nesting, and defense. This remarkable adaptation allows the possum to navigate treetops securely, gather food efficiently, carry nesting materials, and make agile movements to escape predators. The tail is an essential feature that enhances the possum's ability to survive and thrive in its arboreal habitat. So these two settled into together, firstly in a divided cage then the divider door was opened and they had a lot of room, branches and rope to practice their climbing skills. The day came that I was told that as they could not be released they had to be euthanised. New DBCA rules. These gentle creatures, who had shown such resilience and trust, were now facing an untimely end simply because they couldn't return to the wild. The thought of their innocent lives being cut short due to circumstances beyond their control was unbearable. It felt like a failure to protect and care for them, a cruel and unjust decision that haunted my thoughts. Together with another carer, we took on DBCA and after numerous visits from their inspector I was given permission to soft release them. It meant they were free to come and go as they pleased and I was able to keep an eye on them.

Peppa was the little boy born to Peppe and Poppe. Discovering that these two ringtail possums, destined for death, have created their own baby was an indescribable joy. The moment I spotted that tiny, delicate newcomer nestled safely with its parents, my heart swelled with happiness and wonder. It was a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, a sign that the care and protection I provided allowed life to flourish. The baby possum represented hope and continuity, bringing an overwhelming sense of fulfillment and pride. Watching the family interact, knowing they were thriving, filled my soul with warmth and a profound connection to the natural world. It was a magical experience that underscored the importance of conservation and the joy of witnessing new life.

I watched these three for months, climbing the huge eucalyptus trees venturing further and further afield, until one day they didn’t return home. I had wildlife cameras set up to monitor them, but they found their home in the freedom of the bush.

Poppe and Peppa