The rescued five month old marsupial bears golden fur due to the amount of melanin it produces, which is unnatural due to it's mutation. This is what causes it to look like the popular electric mouse mascot of Pokemon, and has thus been named Pikachu because of this.
Now, no one should jump to conclusions thinking they have the opportunity of obtaining one for themselves, as this is the only one that has been located in in Australia because they aren't found in the wild. Sure, it might be a dream come true for many people to find a Pikachu in real life, this genetic mutation is actually quite unfortunate and dangerous for the poor orphaned creature.
"One of the issues with unusual colors, particularly if they are pale, is that this is a nocturnal animal and if they are pale they are obvious to predators like an owl." - Kath Handasyde, Melbourne University Scholar
It makes perfect sense that the the light colored possums would be the first to get attacked in the wild. Shiny Pokemon work different in real life. The good news is, you can always catch a Pikachu in Niantic's mobile game, Pokemon Go!
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