Study finds possums, bats and wombats increasingly entering Australian homes

A new study of a decade’s worth of wildlife rescue reports has shown that native Australian animals are increasingly taking up residence inside homes. Brushtail and ring‑tail possums account for roughly half of all incidents involving fauna in buildings, while microbats and bare‑nosed wombats rank as the next most common intruders. Researchers documented sightings ranging from possums nesting in roofs and bats roosting behind curtains to more unusual occurrences such as microbats discovered in letter boxes and air‑conditioning ducts, and even ducks perched on balconies.

The findings highlight the breadth of species adapting to urban environments and underscore the need for homeowners to be aware of potential wildlife incursions. Authorities recommend contacting licensed wildlife rescuers when animals are found indoors to ensure safe removal and proper care. For ongoing updates on this and related stories, readers can follow the Australia news live blog, subscribe to the breaking‑news email, or access the daily news podcast via the free app.