Australian Brushtail Possum Found Among Plush Toys at Hobart Airport

Hobart, Australia – Travelers at Hobart Airport in Tasmania were surprised to discover a living Australian brushtail possum nestled among plush toy kangaroos, bilbies, and dingoes in a gift shop on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The unexpected visitor delighted both staff, and passengers.

A Curious Discovery

A passenger first spotted the possum peering out from the display shelf at the departure terminal shop, according to Liam Bloomfield, the airport’s retail manager CNN. The possum was situated amongst stuffed Tasmanian devils, bilbies (marsupials with long rabbit-like ears), and dingoes, Australia’s native dog.

Reaction and Removal

“A passenger reported it to… one of the staff members on shift who couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing,” Bloomfield said. Airport staff quickly took a video of the possum before it became aware of the attention and retreated. The possum was safely escorted from the terminal without incident, according to an airport spokesperson The Guardian.

Speculation and Amusement

Bloomfield jokingly speculated that the possum may have been attracted to the plush animals, wanting to blend in AP News. The reason for the possum’s entry and the duration of its stay remain unknown. The incident has garnered amusement on social media, with users commenting on the possum’s attempt to experience “the real Australia” and its potential desire to “travel the world.”

Possums vs. Opossums

The incident has prompted some to inquire about the difference between possums and opossums. Possums are native to Australia and New Guinea, while opossums are found in the Americas MSN. Key distinctions include:

• Tails: Opossums have hairless tails, whereas possums have bushy, furry tails.
• Faces: Opossums have pointed snouts and white faces, while possums have rounder, flatter faces.
• Behavior: When threatened, opossums may play dead, while possums are more likely to run or fight.
• Diet: Opossums are omnivorous scavengers, while possums primarily eat plants.

Future Plans

Airport staff are planning to commemorate the visit with a “shrine” to the possum, including a photo and a name, which will be displayed in the store The Guardian.