Australian Veterinary Clinic Rescues a "Real-Life Pikachu"; Successfully Transfer Her to Wild Animal Sanctuary Where She Will Live Free From Predators

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 17, 2026 6:45 AM EDT

Why is it fair for Pokémon trainers to go around capturing animals with no consequence, but when we do it, it's a criminal offense?

Back in the early 2000s, I, like every other kid, was obsessed with Pokémon. I raced home every day after school to turn on the TV to catch the latest episode, spent all my parents' money on Pokémon cards, and spent 95% of my time playing Pokémon with my friends. We ate, slept, and breathed Pokémon. That was, until the principal of my elementary school banned Pokémon cards from classrooms because of the problems it was causing with attention and between students. Eventually, like all kids, I "grew out" of that phase, but deep in my heart, I knew that I would gladly give up my life to become a Pokémon trainer. I still would. 

Now, as a nearly 36-year-old adult, I would still throw away everything I know to be the very best Pokémon trainer in the whole world. The Pokemon Go phase was a nice little revival of nostalgia and way to reconnect with old friends and relive our childhood dreams of becoming an Elite Four-worthy trainer. But still, it was all through a screen, and as active as our imaginations were, we still knew that Pokemon didn't really exist. And even if they did, they would be incredibly problematic. Can you imagine running into a wild Arbok, the evolution of Ekens, which is more than 11 feet long and around 143 pounds on average? And that's not even one of the more "dangerous" Pokémon. 

But all is not lost, at least not for our wild dream of meeting a real-life Pokémon in our lifetime. @Love_animalsgram on Instagram posted about an Australian veterinary clinic rescued what really looks like "a real-life Pikachu". It may not be able to generate lightning from its cheeks (thankfully), but its pure golden coloring and adorably round eyes do remind us a lot of our favorite electric-type companion. It's actually a golden bushtail possum, with a genetic mutation that reduces the melanin in its fur. With such bright fur, it would be an easy target for predators, so the clinic transferred her to an animal sanctuary where she'll live predator-free. 

Bring your Safari Balls, guys, we're going to Australia to catch 'em all!

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  • 01
    A REAL-LIFE PIKACHU WAS JUST RESCUED IN AUSTRALIA 113
    via love_animalsgram
  • 02
    love_animalsgram A tiny golden brushtail possum was found alone on the ground in Melbourne, Australia, and brought to Boronia Veterinary Clinic & Hospital for help. Vets believed the five-month-old baby had likely fallen from her mother's back.
    via love_animalsgram
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10656281856
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    But this little rescue had something incredibly rare - her bright golden coat is caused by a genetic mutation that results in unusually low levels of melanin. Her appearance was so striking that people immediately began calling her Pikachu.
    via love_animalsgram
  • 05
    VETSCALES 13 70 TART MOR TAGE OFF
    via love_animalsgram

  • She's even small enough to fit in a Poké Ball. 

    Although now that I think about it, I'm not sure it was ever discussed how they fit all sizes of Pokémon into Poké Balls. How did the giant ones, like Charizard, ever fit into a Poké Ball?

  • 06
    After spending a night at the clinic, she was transferred to a wildlife carer. Because her unusually bright coloring could make her much easier for predators to spot, she was expected to live safely in a wildlife sanctuary rather than return to the wild.
    via love_animalsgram
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10656296192
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  • 08
    A real-life Pikachu - rescued, protected, and given a second chance. 4
    via love_animalsgram
  • 09
    midniterose13 Ok is that where I need to go to adopt an adorable furry pet
    via midniterose13
  • 10
    leighchafitz Cuteness overload
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  • 11
    heinznikki122 She's so cute. Mama must be worried
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  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10656295936
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  • 13
    annettelane662 Oh my heart, such a beautiful little one. Thank you to everyone involved.
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  • 14
    british_estate
    via british_estate

  • What did you think of Detective Pikachu? I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would, but I wouldn't say it was a huge success. A Solid 6/10. Cool concept, funny voice acting, but the story itself wasn't that great.

  • 15
    cloorias_secret 137 GRAMS O
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  • 16
    chezzacab Oh that colour of her coat - glowing gorgeously-& her smile now she's safe - I hope to see her at Healesville Sanctuary in the years to come - maybe she'll have glowing babies dear sweet possum
    via chezzacab
  • 17
    motherofchucky I love her ♥
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    A
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  • 19
    penny_porter_owen ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY ADORABLE
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  • 20
    murrelia2 What a gorgeous wee thing. Shame she was separated from her mum but luckily found before harm could come to her.
    via murrelia2

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wild animals animal rescue golden brushtail possum Pokémon
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