Percy the Baby Possum

Percy came to us during the last school holidays in a knitted sock.

A sock I hear you say? Well, Percy had lost his mummy and a family of animal lovers couldn't bear to leave him all alone when he popped out of his mothers pouch.

So - Percy made the mission into Butterfly Creek and he has a hatch of his own to stay and grow in. He's currently about 11 weeks old.

Aren't possums pests I hear you say? Well, this is common in places such as protected islands, where you find endangered species, this is true. But the reason we took Percy on, is because we wanted to give you a chance to learn about the Possum as very few of us will get the chance to see a Possum up close and personal. (And not hanging out in a tree)

So - what is Percy feeding on? He is currently having several feeds of milk a day, as he would usually still be with his mother at this stage. He also loves fruit - especially bananas!

He loves to snuggle into anything wooly that feels like home and is incredibly cuddly - as he would usually still be in the pouch. He has many wooly socks and jumpers in his hatch to keep him as warm as possible. However, when he is out of his hatch, his instincts are that he can go to the bathroom (now that he is out of his "mothers pouch") so there are several keepers and a Marketing Monarch that have been left with a damp arm or leg!!

Here are some cool facts about Possums:

- They are Marsupials

- They usually weigh anywhere between 1.4 and 6.4kgs

- They are nocturnal creatures If you see them out feeding during the day, they are generally unwell

So come on down and see Percy the Precious Possum!

Note: If you do find an animal that is stranded, we'd love to help, but give us a call first! We need to make an assessment on how full the farm is currently, whether the animal will be safe to interact with public (we pride ourselves on being as hands on as possible) and that they are free of diseases - the safety of our existing animals is paramount!

Meet Wilbur

From the moment Wilbur arrived, just under 2 weeks ago, he won hearts.

Initially, he had been given the name "chops" - not exactly PC, but it was an affectionate little nick-name we'd given him.

But, as interest grew through our Facebook page and more people came to visit him, it was decided that he deserved a MUCH cuter name. So, Brian the keeper went to the masses, he asked people what they thought as they came through the farm and the general consensus was that "Wilbur"
was a family favourite. So, Wilbur it is.

Wilbur came to us at 4 days old. Looking very little and skinny. When you visit Butterfly Creek you will see that Wilbur is in a pen, with plenty of hay to rest his head on and a big heat lamp to keep him warm through the winter days but he looked a little lonely. So, the team suggested we get him a wooly cardigan to snuggle into and then came the addition of his favourite soft toy - the Goodnight Kiwi, which he snuggles in to each night.

But, the care does not stop there. The first week is the most critical time in a pigs life, so we had our kitchen staff who live on site, come across to the barn each evening to make sure Wilbur was warm and got another feed of milk before he hit the hay for the night.

At almost 2 weeks old, Wilbur is doing well and padding out... looking like a real chubby little piglet!

We'll bring you more updates as he grows in to a big "Great white pig"

If you'd like to come and meet Wilbur and give him a feed, his feeding times are at 10.30, 2.30 and 4.30 each day.

Keep up with all the latest news at Butterfly Creek on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/butterflycreek