When Hamilton Wildlife Shelter in Australia got a call about a ringtail possum believed dead after getting stuck between two gate posts, rescuer Shelly Burrowes headed out expecting a recovery mission — until the "dead" animal suddenly moved.
Here's what to know
As The Dodo reported, by the time Shelly Burrowes of Hamilton Wildlife Shelter arrived, the ringtail possum stuck between two gate posts appeared dead. But after searching for him and trying to lift him out, Burrowes noticed signs the situation wasn't as final as it first appeared.
Burrowes wrote on the shelter's Facebook page: "My first thought as I lifted it was, 'You're still limp, not stiff,' quickly followed by, 'Oh, and you're still warm-ish in the belly area, must've only passed away early this morning.'"
Then came the startling moment: "But then … I saw an arm move. Then the eyes opened."
After pulling her car up to the gate and climbing onto the hood to reach him, Burrowes freed the possum and got him back to the shelter. There, staff kept him warm, gave him fluids and pain medication, and monitored him closely.
Despite being bruised and sore, the possum was showing more signs of recovery.
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More background
The caller asked for help, and Burrowes' close attention turned what looked like a recovery into a rescue.
Native animals often have to navigate fences, roads, backyards, and other human-made hazards, and even a brief entrapment can leave them injured, cold, or in shock.
Shelters like Hamilton Wildlife Shelter can bridge the gap between crisis and recovery. Without that kind of quick response, many wild animals would have little chance of returning to their habitats.
An animal that appears unresponsive may still be alive and urgently needs help.
What can be done?
If you come across a wild animal that seems trapped, injured, or lifeless, the safest first step is usually to contact a wildlife rehabilitator, rescue organization, or veterinarian for guidance. Animals in shock can be especially vulnerable, and even well-meaning handling without training can make the situation worse.
Supporting the people who respond to those calls can make a real difference, too. Small shelters often rely on community support, whether through donations, transport help, supplies, or volunteer time.
If you want to help wildlife and local ecosystems where you live, check out the TCD Guide's page on taking local environmental action or donating to environmental causes.
In this case, Burrowes' persistence and quick problem-solving gave the possum a real chance of making it back to the wild after he fully recovers.
Burrowes could already see the difference the care had made: "He was so cold and barely responsive, but as the day has progressed and with warmth, he has come back to life."
Where can I learn more?
This possum's rescue is one of many involving wild animals hurt or trapped by everyday human-made hazards. Other cases involved deer, kangaroos, snakes, and birds caught in plastic, netting, fishing line, and other dangerous situations.
• In Ohio, officials found a deer with its head stuck in a bucket, underscoring how plastic waste can turn deadly.
• In Australia, kangaroos scavenging near tourists ended up stuck in a bin opening, a hazard tied to litter and feeding.
• In the U.K., the RSPCA rescued an endangered grass snake caught in garden netting, a common backyard hazard.
• In British Columbia, rescuers warned that wildlife keep suffering entanglement from discarded fishing line, showing how litter can maim animals.
• In Scotland, wildlife responders saved a great black-backed gull after spotting it stranded on a sports field near a high school.
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