Lips sealed

I do not know if it is true that many Aussies ''deliberately'' run over wildlife on the roads, but I do think that Australians possess an unfortunate ''gung-ho'' and insensitive attitude to many things in life that might make them not try tremendously hard to avoid wildlife.

I've not noticed any wildlife on the roads anywhere around Melbourne at all but I HAVE in Tasmania, where there is wildlife everywhere you go pretty much.

on the main road out of where we live possoms sit in the middle all the way down, it is one of the most bizarre things i've ever seen and why I dont drive at night if I can help it. But by slowing down you can avoid them and theres hardly any traffic around. yet I know people where this idea wouldnt even enter their heads! in fact they will laugh at how many they can kill.

obviously you would not swerve to miss something with oncoming traffic.

Hmm lots of sweeping statements kicking around here like 'aussies' this and that...

How about 'some people' i've noticed... rather than blanketing us all!

I must admit i have hit more things in the UK... Including: A badger, A Barn Owl, many pheasants and many rabbits (usually on purpose as they were sat in the middle of the road in agony with mixi).

I did swerve the other day for a bluetongue but i was only going 40 lol.

Haven't really noticed all that much roadkill but wallabies and kangaroo's are most common i guess as they are as suicidal as pheasants.

I wouldnt say people deliberately hit animals more than in the uk... i remember seeing loads of roadkill there, lots of foxes, pheasants and rabbits... If an animal runs in front of your car you either hit it or dont - tend to use the trusted method of closing my eyes and crossing my fingers

Oh and i wanted to make a point of the RSPCA in the UK... I have not supported the UK RSPCA since they decided to use their public funds to build a brand new multi million pound headquarters!

Hmmm point taken. BUT my cousin trying to kill his possum? He IS an Aussie

Possums are terretorial animals so if he gets this one another one will move in.

Best thing to do is put something that will work as a possum nest in a place YOU choose (neighbbours tree) and making his current one uncomfortable so he will move to the new nest.

Won't stop them from running across your roof.

Possums can be a pain in the proverbial... if your cousin really wanted to kill it he would have done so by now. Get rid of the trees and the possum might just move lol.

I was born and bred in Tassie and lived there for 40 years and not once did I meet anyone who bragged about how many possums they could run over and then have a laugh about it. I lived in the far North West, the North West and the South....never lived in the North East, perhaps its a North East thing then?????

His 9 iron isn't much of a weapon it has to be said.......

What if i don't love animals ?? where do i need to be ?

I dont think the RSPCA here is destitute. There are many welfare agencies here and a large population of animal carers - of course most could always use more funds.

I saw far more cruelty in the UK, although there is animal cruelty everywhere. I find this post really really strange and perhaps not well thought out - did a particular instance upset you?

Also - there are plenty of organisations looking for wildlife carers - if anyone were interested pm me - you can do some really cool courses quite cheaply and end up taking a kanga around in your handbag - how funky would that look to your friends on facebook

Seriously its a rewarding job.

I will have the unwanted possum - I have put up a box but as yet dont have a visitor. I love them, they are the best. I am usually up most of the night anyway so could do with the company
Vivienne

Tell us more Steve

Cooler

Well we gave them $1000 before we left the uk last year an unwanted gift. I just wanted to help the animals. Even if I had known that I think I would have still given it to them as the RSPCA shelter in Coventry needs the help and they do a great job.

I managed to run over a Magpie the other morning - my first one in Australia (I managed to nail a few in the UK).