Orphaned Baby Brushtail Possum Recovers With Help of Stuffed Kangaroo Toy

An orphaned brushtail possum joey is making a swift recovery from dehydration, thanks to the efforts of a veterinary nurse - and a toy stuffed kangeroo.

The tiny possum, nicknamed ‘Bettina’ by nurse Felicity Evans, was found abandoned on a road in the Mosman area of Sydney last month and taken to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital where she is being nursed back to health.

The hospital released a video showing Bettina cuddling the kangaroo in the same way she would her own mother.

Bettina is being nursed back to health/Taronga Zoo

“At this age she would naturally still be with her mother, so the soft toy gives her something to snuggle for comfort,” Felicity told CNN. “It’s not as fluffy and woolly as an adult Brushtail Possum, but she clings to it using her claws and teeth as she would do with mum in the wild.”

With the whereabouts of Bettina’s mother unknown, Felicity helps Bettina feel at home by carrying her in a makeshift pouch and bottle feeding her at night.

Since she was found, Bettina has doubled in size, having enjoyed tucking into her favourite sweet potato, carrots and natural flowers.

"She’s feeding really well and is quite a vocal little thing,” Felicity said. “She’ll sit in the spare room next to me and call out when she’s ready to feed.”

Bettina has been carried around in a makeshift pouch/Taronga Zoo

Bettina will stay at Taronga until she is well enough to be released back into the wild.

With many native animals suffering injuries after being hit by cars or attacked by dogs and cats, the zoo said Bettina’s story should remind people to keep a watchful eye out for wildlife.

“This little joey wouldn’t be alive today if someone hadn’t noticed her and brought her to the wildlife hospital,” said Felicity.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital treats and cares for more than 1,000 injured or orphaned animals each year including wombats, wallabies and sea turtles.

The possum will be looked after until well enough to be released back in the wild/Taronga Zoo