I am always inspired by the wonderful work done by the WILVOS team. From the moment the call comes through to our 5441 6200 Hotline, a number of people are involved in the rescue, rehabilitation and release process of each animal. They are all legends!
Some serious sleep deprivation has come with my five current patients. Brush-tailed phascogales are arborial, and very secretive carnivorous marsupials. It is surprising when Hotline receives a call about them. Their brush tails, often held erect, are very distinctive. These very young ones, with eyes still closed, just had fat black tails on arrival, but the brushes have since begun to form. Previously, WILVOS have had phascogales come in from a variety of areas ranging from Imbil, Yandina to Rosemount. These came from outside Kenilworth.
Brush-tailed phascogales grow to approximately 200 grams in size. The females are quite territorial in their 40 or so hectares, whereas males range around over double this area. The males only live through one breeding season. Soon after mating with as many females as possible, the males succumb to complete exhaustion, leading to a very depressed immune system, plus they become an easy target for predators. Sorry guys, job’s done, off you go! The females may live up to three years but rarely produce young for more than one year.
WILVOS have only had single phascogales come into care before, so handrearing of these five joeys is a chance to record data on these little-known mammals. Unfortunately, a tree was cut down that contained a precious hollow, housing this family. Trying to reunite with Mum was not successful.
Phascogales are great pest exterminators, from pesky insects to rodents. They may occasionally feast on a chicken but the positive impact of having them around certainly outweighs any negative aspects.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au