There are lots of ways to help our local wildlife and support wildlife shelters, here are some items that are always in need. They are easy and fun to make and will provide a warm cosy place for wildlife to feel safe in.
Pouches & Pouch Liners
Standard pouches and Hanging Kangaroo Pouch
Standard Pouches
Small 16cm square
Medium 24cm square
Large 30cm square
Wool: 8 ply pure wool (we are unable to use pouches made from synthetic materials as the animals cannot breathe in closed synthetic pouches)
Knitting: Pouches should be knitted in plain stitch both sides
Needles: Size 8 needles
Pouches need to be closed on the two longer sides and one end, and left open at the top.
Lining
Material: Pure cotton or flannelette, washable material only
The lining should be closed on three sides and open at the top.
Please note that the lining should not be attached to the pouch as it will need to be changed regularly.
Piccolo Studio has a free tutorial for making a wildlife pouch.
Hanging Kangaroo Pouches
Fabric must be 100% natural fibres – no polyester, wool, synthetics or fabrics that have plastic or glitter. Breathability and softness are the priority. Flannelette, light cotton or jersey is recommended. Flannel is recommended for young animals as they are cosier.
Outer pouches need to be made from fabric that is strong and durable to support the hanging joey. Heavy Cotton drill or similar is recommended.
Straps needs to be made with strong fabric that can support the weight of the joey.
Piccolo Studio has a free downloadable pattern in two different sizes, one for Kangaroos and one for Wallabies.
Quilted Nests
Wildlife shelters often use hand knit and crochet or Quilted “nests” to cradle orphaned and injured birds and other wildlife while they are recovering. They appreciate nests in various sizes.
Piccolo Studio has a pattern for Quilted nests here.
If you have made wildlife pouches or nests and would like to donate them to Warriors 4 Wildlife please contact us at info@warriors4wildlife.org
BUILD A BRUSHTAIL POSSUM BOX
What you need:
Non Structural 12ml ply board or untreated pine
Sides:
4 x 220 w x 345cm h
*Possum hole is cut out of the corner of one of the side pieces, approx 10cm x 10cm. Or if you have a circular saw you can cut a round hole in the middle of the top half of the box.
Roof:
1 x 220 wl x 339 h
Base:
4 x 220cm W x 242cm H
2 x Flexible Metal strapping 60cm long
2 x Hinges
While it is not essential, it is best if you can arrange the top so it can be opened for inspection. Especially for wildlife shelters.
Hammer or nail gun
You can also use glue to hold the construction together. This will help the box last longer.
Box of nails
Water Based Paint in Natural green colour
The wood does not have to be smooth as possums are used to roughing it. However, a good coat of non Toxic Waterproof paint on the exterior will help the box last years longer.
Branch
A small branch fastened firmly under the entrance hole will give the possum something to grab onto while entering and exiting his home. You can also add a small branch or wire to to inside of the box for juvenile possums to climb out.
INSTALLATION
Ideally, the box should be at least 12-14 feet from the ground, to provide protection from pests, and a bit of privacy.
The box should face away from prevailing winds, and should not face towards the afternoon sun. If it is not possible to avoid both the winds and direct sunshine, having a baffle attached will help.
Use screws to attach the possum box to the tree with the metal strapping. Please allow some room with the strapping for the tree to continue to grow.
Attracting a BRUSHTAIL possum into IT’S NEW home
You can put as handful of leaf litter into the box to provide some nesting material as well as put fruit near the box or around the base of the tree.
Enjoy watching your local possums move in! It’s such an enjoyable experience when a possum takes up the home you’ve made for them.
If you have made possum boxes and would like to donate them to Warriors 4 Wildlife please contact us at info@warriors4wildlife.org
BUILD A RINGTAIL POSSUM DREY
WHAT YOU NEED:
2x Steel Wire Hanging Baskets with Coconut Fibre inserts.
Wire Cutter or Bolt Cutter
Netting Clip Pliers
Stanley Knife orScissors
Netting Clips
Metal Wire
A File
A Skewer
Recycled plastic - for added protection from the weather
INSTRUCTIONS:
Using a Wire Cutter or Bolt Cutter remove the middle piece of wire on either side of the top half of the basket to create an entry and exit point (Cut the wire in the middle and gently wiggle the wire from side to side to fatigue the wire and break it off).
Using the file gently file down any rough edges of the wire so they are smooth.
Place the recycled sheet of plastic in the basket and cut off any excess plastic from around the edges.
Place the coconut fibre in the top basket ensuring that it is level all around the basket.
Using the Stanley Knife or Scissors cut a square opening at the entry point. Leave the top side of the square uncut so it can be folded up to make a doorway. To do this use fold up the coconut fibre and use the Skewer to push a hole through it, push the piece of wire through the hole and twist to secure (Please tuck the wire underneath so there are no right edges that may hurt the possum.
For the exit point, make a single cut in the coconut fibre using Scissors or a Stanley Knife. This allows the possums an escape route in the event of a predator invasion.
Push a few more holes around the top of the Drey to secure the Coconut Fibre to the steel wire ensuring it does not collapse. Remember to keep tucking in any loose wire so there are no sharp bits.
Join the Top and Bottom baskets together. Make sure the Coconut Fibre on top is tucked over the top of the bottom basket, this is so that when it rains the water will run over the top of the basket rather than instead the bottom basket.
Taking your Netting Pliers and Netting Clips begin to close the wire basket together all around the middle section whilst also pinching some of the coconut fibre to hold it in place.
You can then reattach the hanging wire and look for a suitable place to hang the Drey. Make sure this in in a tree with dense foliage, ensuring that the type of tree does not loose its leaves over winter.
INSTALLATION
Install the Drey as high as possible, ideally no less than 2.5 meters from the ground. The lower the drey the more susceptible they are to predator attacks.
ATTRACTING A RINGTAIL POSSUM INTO IT’S NEW HOME
Entice the Ringtail Possums to the drey by placing Rose petals, Lily Pilly or Bottlebrush flowers inside.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP WILDLIFE
Keep your cats contained inside and outside
Plant native shrubs and trees in your backyard
Build or buy a habitat box
Always use wildlife friendly fruit netting
Slow down on roads especially at dawn and dusk
Leave water out for wildlife on hot days
Teach these tips to your friends and family
Call Warriors 4 Wildlife if you find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.