All Australian native animals are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is an offence to take, harm or disturb wildlife. Hunting, trapping or injuring animals, including possums and ducks, in public parks and gardens is illegal and fines apply.
Remember that wildlife is wild so watch animals from a safe distance.
Do not feed wildlife
Feeding wildlife, especially possums, can do them serious harm. It can:
- alter the natural behaviour of wildlife
- contribute to their overpopulation
- make some animals aggressive
- cause poor nutrition and spread disease
- encourage the presence of vermin in the wildlife habitat
- often lead to unwelcome wildlife causing property damage in residential areas
- affect water quality and the natural environment.
Domestic cats/dogs and wildlife
When taking your dog for a walk in the park, never let your dog chase birds or wildlife. Your dog may inadvertently cause damage by trampling habitat and may disturb feeding or nesting fauna.
For more information, see Walking your dog.
Cats also pose a serious threat to native wildlife populations and have led to declines in many bird species Australia-wide. Please keep your cat inside your property at all times, especially at night. This will help keep both your pet and wildlife safer.
Find tips for stopping your cat from roaming.
Possums and possum guards
Possums are one of our well-known nocturnal park dwellers. They sleep during daylight hours and leave their nests in the trees or tree hollows to feed after dusk.
High densities of possums mean many park trees are fitted with possum guards (collars of sheet metal or perspex) to prevent possums defoliating trees, stripping bark and causing serious damage to tree health.
Read our Ringtail and brushtail possums factsheet (PDF 1.1 MB)
For information on how to live with possums successfully and legislation regarding trapping of Brushtail Possums please refer to Possums (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change)Opens in new tab.
If you see a possum that you believe may be unwell or injured, please contact Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300 or view their fact sheetsOpens in new tab.
