The ‘aggressive’ possum (not pictured) is said to have prevented the woman from leaving her home
(Picture: Getty Images)A woman was left shocked after being held “hostage” by an aggressive possum in her New Zealand home.
The woman, from the South Island city of Dunedin, told officers she was unable to leave her house as the furry animal would charge at her every time she attempted to escape.
Police arrived just after 11pm on Sunday and discovered a juvenile possum which, when approached, climbed the officer’s leg. The officer was not harmed.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said the possum may have been an escaped pet or recently separated from its mother, according to the Otago Daily Times.
The animal has since been released into the wild at nearby lookout spot Signal Hill in order to prevent further harassment, Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.
Veterinarian Dr Rachael Stratton said the animal was likely acting out of fear rather than aggression.
“The typical thing for most wild animals would be to run away,” she told the Guardian. “Unless, as it’s a juvenile, it is perhaps still learning how to deal with threats.”
Possums were first introduced into New Zealand from Australia in 1837.
A study conducted by Landcare in 2009 estimated that there are around 47 million possums in New Zealand.
