A brushtail possum was found in the plush toy section of the Lagardère AWPL gift shop at Hobart Airport at 11:45 a.m. on March 19, 2026. The unexpected visitor was spotted among an array of toy kangaroos, bilbies, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils, capturing the attention of passengers and staff alike.
Witnesses reported that the possum remained calm while being escorted out of the terminal by airport staff. Liam Bloomfield, the retail manager of the gift shop, expressed delight at the incident, stating, “We’ll have a little shrine to the possum.” This quirky event has sparked a wave of amusement, with social media users chiming in, with one declaring, “This would make my whole year. So cute.”
The possum was captured on camera huddled among the soft toys, briefly venturing into the departure lounge before being escorted outside. It remains unclear how the possum entered the secure departure terminal, raising questions about airport security protocols.
Brushtail possums are one of five species of possum found in Tasmania and are known for their nocturnal habits. The sighting of this particular possum has not only entertained those present but has also ignited discussions about wildlife interactions in urban settings.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding how long the possum stayed in the shop before being discovered. The incident has certainly added an unexpected twist to the day at Hobart Airport, highlighting the sometimes surprising intersections of human activity and wildlife.