It was a typical day at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRWC) last week when the phone suddenly rang with a frantic caller on the other line. The woman was distraught as she explained the devastating discovery she’d made that morning.
“After calming her down, we learned that she had just returned from a week-long vacation to find a dying opossum trapped in her trash can,” RRWC wrote on Facebook. “She described a heartbreaking scene: the poor creature was swarmed by flies, and a terrible odor filled the air.”
The woman feared that it might’ve been too late, but she refused to give up on the little guy. She called multiple rescues in her area for help with no such luck, until RRWC answered the phone.
Facebook/Raven Ridge Wildlife Center
Typically, RRWC advises homeowners to tip their trash cans over if an opossum is trapped at the bottom, allowing them to crawl out on their own. However, the staff could tell that this caller was more distressed than most, so they asked her to bring the little guy to their headquarters.
The woman soon arrived with her husband and the trash can, with the sluggish opossum still trapped at the bottom.
“Opossums are among the most misunderstood animals on the continent …” RRWC wrote. “Contrary to popular belief, these creatures are neither stupid nor dirty. In fact, [opossums] are incredibly intelligent, remarkably clean and serve as beneficial allies to humans and the environment. While they might not win any beauty contests, their presence in your backyard can be truly rewarding.”
Facebook/Raven Ridge Wildlife Center
Opossums are known for their unique physical appearance, but it’s their instincts that truly set them apart from their counterparts in the animal kingdom.
“Unlike many mammals that harbor ticks and pose a risk of Lyme disease, [opossums] are nature’s champions, voraciously consuming over 90 percent of the ticks they encounter,” RRWC wrote. “Their commitment to cleanliness is evident: they meticulously groom themselves using their tongues and paws, making them some of the tidiest animals around.”
Facebook/Raven Ridge Wildlife Center
Opossums are also immune to the venom of most snakes, and their lower body temperature makes them much less likely to carry the rabies virus. But, unfortunately, opossums are not completely immune to danger.
As avid climbers, wild opossums often tumble into tall trash cans without being able to get back out. These situations can be deadly for opossums, but luckily, this little guy was discovered just in time.
“Although the little guy was dirty and had a strong smell, he was surprisingly in good condition overall,” RRWC wrote. “After providing a few days of gentle grooming and nourishing meals, we were overjoyed to see him regain his strength.”
Facebook/Raven Ridge Wildlife Center
The staff at RRWC celebrated the opossum’s recovery, thanking his rescuer for getting him the help he needed. Within a few days, the opossum was ready to return home, and his reaction to being released melted everyone’s hearts.
“It was a rewarding moment when we finally released him back into the wild, where he truly belonged,” RRWC wrote.
You can see more pictures of his release here:
The opossum scurried back to his home, elated to finally be able to return to his typical activities. And the staff at RRWC were just as happy to have facilitated yet another successful rehabilitation of an animal they genuinely love.
“Embrace the opossum,” RRWC wrote. “Your yard will be better for it!”
To help animals like this opossum get the care they need, you can donate to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center here.
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