Water Corporation partners with local wildlife group to give orphaned possums a new home

Water Corporation has joined forces with Busselton wildlife care group FAWNA (Fostering and Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid) to help give sick and orphaned possums a new home. 

Using materials donated by Busselton Men’s Shed, staff from across the utility’s South West region recently built habitat boxes to provide a temporary home for possums under FAWNA’s care ahead of their release back into wild. 

FAWNA is a volunteer wildlife rehabilitation organisation that cares for critically endangered Western Ringtail Possums. The species faces extinction through habitat destruction and predation by foxes, feral cats and domestic pets, with estimates only around 8,000 remain in the wild. 

Water Corporation South West Regional Manager Nicola Waite said the initiative marked the beginning of an ongoing partnership with FAWNA through Water Corporation’s Liveability Partnership Program. 

“FAWNA’s work to care for sick and injured wildlife is incredibly important, and we’re proud to support such a worthwhile organisation whose values align with our own,” Ms Waite said. 

“The Western Ringtail Possum is critically endangered, so working with FAWNA is something we’re passionate about and something our staff have really bought into.

“Through Water Corporation’s Livability Partnership Program, we’re now looking at other ways of supporting FAWNA in the hope of increasing possum numbers around Busselton.” 

It follows work by Water Corporation to install 35 fauna shelters and 15 rope bridges for Western Ringtail Possums as part of a $29 million upgrade to the Busselton Diversion Drain last year. 

FAWNA spokesperson Suzie Strapp said hundreds of possums were orphaned or injured across the South West each year, many requiring intensive care and rehabilitation.

“Dog attacks, traffic incidents and the clearing of native habitats are the leading reasons Western Ringtail Possum numbers have fallen to critical levels,” Ms Strapp said. 

“If we don’t act now there is a real possibility this adorable marsupial could soon be extinct. 

“FAWNA is a volunteer-run organisation that relies on donations, so to have support from Water Corporation is something that will really benefit our people and the work they do.”  

For more information, visit https://www.fawna.com.au/  

Media Enquiries:
Kylie Olney 
Water Corporation Senior Advisor Customer & Stakeholder South West 
0428 938 847

Water Corporation's Josh Jackson, Nicola Waite and Kaitlin Saron (far right), with FAWNA's Suzie Strapp (second from the right)