They didn’t expect to see him there.

Possum Rescued Twice After Getting Stuck in Australian Courtyard

When a homeowner in Australia spotted a furry visitor stranded in their courtyard, they immediately contacted WIRES Wildlife Rescue for help. What followed was not one, but two rescues of the same possum — and a heartwarming happy ending.

A Surprising Discovery

Rescue volunteer Peter responded quickly to the call. After brushing aside some plants, he found the culprit: a fluffy brushtail possum, fast asleep in the corner of the courtyard.

“[He’d] likely climbed up in search of food, nibbling on balcony plants before falling and getting stuck,” WIRES later shared on Facebook.

Peter carefully scooped the possum into a towel, checked him for injuries, and released him back into the wild.

Déjà Vu: The Possum Returns

Peter thought that would be the last time he saw the adventurous marsupial. But the very next evening, the homeowner called again — the possum had returned and managed to get stuck in the exact same spot.

This time, Peter decided to try a different approach. He built the possum a cozy nest (or “drey”) to help him feel safe.

A Safe New Home

Peter’s wife, Anna, also a WIRES volunteer, kept a close watch for three nights to make sure the little possum was eating and adjusting well. Once he seemed settled, the couple moved him — drey and all — to a well-covered tree near the original rescue site.

From there, the possum finally found a safe home in the wild, no longer needing to sneak into courtyards for food or shelter.

A Rewarding Rescue

For Peter and Anna, seeing the possum thrive made the hard work worth it.

“Releasing this possum, or any of our wildlife, is the best part of being a WIRES volunteer,” Peter said. “[It’s] extremely rewarding.”