In Tasmania, Australia, a gentle ringtail possum named Demeter found herself tangled in a backyard soccer net — unable to move and frightened. Thankfully, a concerned passerby spotted her and immediately called Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for help.
But when rescuers arrived and gently freed Demeter, they got a surprise tucked inside her pouch: she was a mom.
🩺 A Vet Visit Filled with Love
Demeter was taken to the sanctuary to be checked for injuries. As she lay under anesthesia for the exam, something touching unfolded right before the rescuers’ eyes.
One of her babies — a tiny joey — clung tightly to her back, refusing to leave her side. Even with mom fast asleep, the little one nestled in, pressing his face close to her fur.
“It’s no surprise,” said Maya Risberg of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. “Possum joeys are extremely dependent on their mothers — for protection, warmth, and food.”
It was a simple moment. But watching that tiny creature hold on, even while mom was sedated, said everything about the bond between them.
🧡 No Wounds, Just Healing Energy
The sanctuary team feared that Demeter may have suffered injuries from the net — a common issue for trapped wildlife.
“We often see animals with deep cuts from netting,” Risberg explained. “Thankfully, Demeter had no such wounds.”
Both she and her babies were simply dehydrated — nothing a little care, rest, and love couldn’t fix.
They were rehydrated, monitored briefly, and then came the best news of all: they were healthy enough to go home.
🌿 Back to the Wild, Together
Just days later, Demeter and her little ones were released back into the wild — safe, strong, and still together.
“They spent a short period of time in care, but have since been released,” Bonorong shared in a post. “Farewell, Demeter!”
In the wild, possum joeys usually stay close to mom for about seven months before venturing out on their own. Until then, every ride on her back, every snuggle, every soft nuzzle — it’s all part of learning how to live free.
And for one little joey, holding on during a scary vet exam was simply instinct — and a reminder of the tender, unseen love that exists all around us in nature.
