By the time Wildlife Victoria volunteer rescuer Tamara reached a ringtail possum joey in trouble, the young animal had already climbed into a tree after sunset. With two adult ringtails involved and the scene becoming more dangerous, every possible response carried risks.
Instead of stepping in too early, she stayed beneath the tree — and that patience led to a split-second, one-handed save.
Here's what to know
Wildlife Victoria (@wildlifevictoria) later shared Instagram footage of the rescue. Tamara had been called to help a ringtail possum joey — a baby marsupial — that was alone in a driveway, and by the time she arrived, it had made its way into a nearby tree.
From the ground, Tamara saw two adult ringtails pushing the joey around. The organization said the encounter "quickly turned more aggressive," so she remained under the tree and waited for the joey to drop.
Wildlife Victoria called the rescue "The catch of the century!" When the joey fell, Tamara caught it with one hand, secured it, and took it to a 24-hour vet clinic.
More background
Making the rescue work meant reading the behavior of several animals in low light and choosing a moment that would not make the situation worse.
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Wildlife Victoria also thanked the member of the public who shared the footage, along with Tamara.
The organization wrote: "Our rescuers face highly stressful and physically difficult situations every day. This video showcases the quick thinking and fast decision-making of our volunteers, and how valuable they are in saving our native wildlife!"
Rather than leave the joey outside overnight, Tamara brought it to a 24-hour vet clinic after the catch so professionals could evaluate it.
Where can I learn more?
These stories highlight other similar rescue situations that show how far volunteers and first responders will go to save animals stuck in dangerous situations. They also show what can happen when human development overlaps with natural habitats.
• At the Essex County Sheriff's Department, rescuers faced a dangerous predicament while freeing a trapped woodchuck.
• On a highway, ARC Wildlife Sanctuary volunteers spotted juvenile swans weaving in traffic without their parents.
• In Scotland, rescuers did the only responsible thing after finding a gull on a school sports field.
• In Livonia, police freed a deer from an unusual predicament as body cameras rolled.
• In Nottingham, volunteers raced after a disturbing discovery left ducks exposed to an oil spill.
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