Taking care of rescued wild animals is extremely rewarding and also a fantastic way to actively support animals in need of help. The most wonderful moment comes at the end of such adventure with a particular animal or a group – the release back into the wild. On the other hand, it is, of course, very bittersweet – as it is easy to bond with the animals one is taking care of, even if they are with us just temporarily – and are far from the generalized definition of a “pet.” But the final goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to return the animals we are helping to their natural home, the place where they truly belong – that is why it is so important to remember that the release day of rehabilitated wildlife is not all about the parting but their new freedom.
Eight opossums from the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center have just got their first taste of that new post-rehabilitation freedom.
The group spent their due time at one of the rehabbers, growing strong and healthy until they could finally venture into the world on their own.
Believe it or not, but these little fluff-balls are out to do some serious wildlife living now!
By the way, tell us again how opossums are “not cute”…
One last look at the camera … and into the wild they go.
Finally, this little bunch can get back into the trees, find their own ways around the new territory, and have a perfectly standard opossum life – far from the blankets, but exactly what every opossum should have.
To learn more about the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, click here.
All image source: Nickie Kirchgessner/Facebook
What a wonderful experience Christina. I used to have a few visit my porch but nothing like you had. i have always thought they are very cute. People who think otherwise are just wrong.
In my previous house, a family of opossums used to come in through the cat flap to steal our cat food. They are highly intelligent, and although the adults were shy and would not come in farther than the laundry room, the babies were very friendly and scampered all over the house. One especially would come and sit beside me as I watched TV. There were opossums everywhere and I found myself bonding with them. I never touched them, as I did not want to take their wildness away from them, but sometimes they would rub against my ankles with affection. Eventually they left. One came in and said good bye to me, and I knew that it was the father opossum\’s decision, as he believed firmly that humans are not supposed to see them at all. I still miss them all!
sounds like an awesome experience.
Thanks for the possum pix!