This little Common Ringtailed Possum's name is French for ‘little shoes'. Her small blue booties have helped to protect and heal the burns to her feet that she sustained in the very fires that threatened Healesville.

Bellarine was rescued in northern Healesville and one of the first animals brought to the Sanctuary. She has become a media star of the Sanctuary with her trademark little blue boots. She is still one of our most critical patients and is doing well considering what she has been through and her serious injuries. She has already had her two little blue "bellarines" removed from her back paws but her front paw burns are very serious.

Sanctuary staff are feeding Bellarine on a healthy diet of gum leaves and are picking native flowers as a special treat for her to munch on.

Update:
Despite the very best of care, Bellarine's burns were too severe. On her last assessment it appeared that her wounds were not healing and, despite medication, little Bellarine was still pain. Her chances of recovery and release were very poor and this is why the veterinary team made the painful decision to euthanase Bellarine. It was very difficult to say goodbye to this beautiful wild creature but we all feel privileged to have known her for this short time.

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