A few months back, a severely malnourished mama opossum arrived at our Sandra J. Goodspeed Wildlife Center with her four nursing babies.
Mom was struggling to survive. She was weak, dehydrated and emaciated, putting all of her energy into caring for her young ones, who were thankfully still in good health.
Recognizing her critical state, our wildlife team quickly began lifesaving care for the mama opossum. She received daily fluids, and we carefully introduced tube feedings with a specially formulated diet to restore hydration and provide nutrients without overwhelming her fragile system.
The babies stayed with their mom during this time, continuing to grow and thrive. Once they outgrew her pouch, they began riding on her back and helping themselves to solid food.
Before long, they were too big to even attempt to squeeze into her pouch. They soon began to all sleep together in the hideout we provided for them.
Our team would often see mom and all four babies lying the same way, flat on their backs with their bellies up. It was a funny sight and a surprisingly consistent habit.
With time and dedicated care, mama opossum made a full recovery. And, as the babies continued to grow and stay healthy, they were ready to be separated from their mom.
For the first few days, they were hesitant in their new surroundings. But they quickly adapted. Soon, they were eating well, climbing, and exploring. As they grew bigger and showed normal behaviors for their age, they were ready for release.
Mom was released first, back to the area where she had originally been found. She stepped out cautiously, taking in her surroundings, and then, recognizing home, disappeared straight into the bushes.
The babies’ release had a different feel. Once they were all big enough to survive on their own in the wild, we brought the whole group to a local garden. The moment the carriers opened, the young opossums emerged and began exploring, noses to the ground, taking in the smells of their new home.
Every release means a lot to the team, but this one was especially sweet. The weak mom and her tiny babies had completely transformed in our care. Seeing them healthy and behaving like wild opossums again really drove home how much difference we can make for animals in need.
This story reflects our mission in action. Our wildlife team, including veterinarians and wildlife technicians, worked together to give one struggling mother a second chance and ensure her babies had the opportunity to grow and return to the wild.
Working with wildlife is very different from caring for pets. There are no tail wags or purrs of appreciation. In fact, most of the time, our wild “patients” are just trying to protect themselves from what they sense as danger. Yet every wild animal we care for reminds us of the value of all animal lives, wild or domestic.
By caring for local wildlife and showing compassion, we hope to inspire our community to see wild animals as important members of our community.
As the holidays approach, remember we share our neighborhoods with wildlife like opossums. Simple steps can help keep them safe this season.
Secure trash and compost—especially food scraps like turkey bones and sweets—using wildlife-resistant bins or keep containers indoors until pickup. When decorating, opt for natural materials over tinsel and ribbons that can harm animals, and turn off holiday lights at night to minimize light pollution.
Visit pasadenahumane.org/wildlife to learn more about our impactful wildlife rehabilitation program and for tips on how to peacefully co-exist with our wild neighbors.
Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. pasadenahumane.org