`Common' sighting?
A type of possum called a sugar glider could have been spotted on
Wimbledon Common for the first time.
Wildlife discussion boards have been inundated with comments about the
cute looking creatures, with some people even claiming it could be
another of Wimbledon Common's mythical creatures - the Womble.
Although it is believed the gliders have been living on the common for
several years, more sightings have been recorded in the last few months.
Kolin Barnz, of Wandsworth, said: "While walking through Wimbledon
Common, I saw an animal which I couldn't recognise.
"It was small and squirrel-like, with a bushy tail, and was eating
nuts on the ground. Its face, however, looked more mouse-like with
long whiskers, black eyes and small ears.
"When I moved, I obviously disturbed it and it scrambled up the
nearest tree. When at the top, it leapt to the next one. As it did
this, flaps of skin stretched between its front and hind legs and it
glided to the next tree."
Sugar gliders were first noticed in 2000 and it appears they are
breeding as there have been several sightings in different parts of
the common.
According to one theory they were supposedly released into the wild by
former owners who may not have wanted them as pets.
Although it is legal to keep them as pets in this country, it is
illegal in other countries including America and Australia.
Tony Drakeford, local nature expert, said: "To be honest we think it
could be a case of mistaken identity. Normal red and grey squirrels
can also comfortably leap from tree to tree and it could just have
been a grey.
"We've been monitoring the common for years now and haven't seen
anything like this, but that's not to say they don't exist."
q Have you seen the animal? Email your pictures into our website at
yourlocal guardian.co.uk and you could win £100
Your Local Guardian: 12th October 2007
