Gorgeous twin ringtail possum joeys are being hand-raised by Taronga keeper, Grace Black, after they were found alone and exposed on a roof in Mosman during the middle of the day.

“Their mum may have been scared off by a dog or cat,” says Grace, who is taking her role as surrogate mother to the twins very seriously.

After being found by a member of the public, the joeys were brought into Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital, where they spent a few days in care.

“They both had ticks on them that had to be removed and once the hospital team were happy with their condition they were able to leave the hospital,” says Grace.

Grace feeds the twins every four hours during the day, and once during the night, and she is happy with how they have been progressing.

“They are lapping their milk now, which is a good sign. They’ve also started to eat lilly pilly tips and also they’re chewing on sweet potato. The bigger of the two is much more boisterous, though, and he tends to scoff his milk down,” says Grace.

Between feeds, the twins are kept safe and warm in a woollen beanie, and they’ve been given a Tasmanian devil stuffed toy to cling on to, in place of their mother.

Grace will continue to care for the twins until they are able to look after themselves. “Hopefully they will keep getting stronger and grow up to be healthy, active possums,” she says.  

Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital treats around 1000 sick and injured native animals every year. This case is a good reminder for pet owners to keep their cats indoors and their dogs on a leash when possible as they can injure or even kill native wildlife.