“The poor creature was swarmed by flies, and a terrible odor filled the air.”
At the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center (RRWC), staff are used to handling emergency calls—but one recent plea for help stood out. A distressed woman phoned the center after returning from vacation to discover a heartbreaking scene: a dying opossum trapped inside her trash can, swarmed by flies and struggling to survive.
“She described a heartbreaking scene: the poor creature was swarmed by flies, and a terrible odor filled the air,” RRWC shared on Facebook.
Despite fearing it was too late, the woman refused to give up. She contacted several local rescues before finally reaching RRWC, who quickly advised her on what to do next.
A Rare Chance at Rescue
Normally, RRWC tells homeowners to tip their trash cans over so trapped opossums can crawl out on their own. But given the caller’s panic—and the animal’s fragile state—they asked her to bring the trash can, and the opossum, straight to their facility.
She arrived with her husband, carrying the can with the sluggish marsupial still inside. To the team’s relief, though the animal smelled terrible and was covered in filth, he was in better condition than expected.
Why Opossums Deserve More Love
“Opossums are among the most misunderstood animals on the continent,” RRWC explained. “Contrary to popular belief, they are not stupid or dirty. They are incredibly intelligent, remarkably clean, and serve as vital allies to humans and the environment.”
While opossums may look unusual, their natural instincts make them remarkably beneficial backyard neighbors:
- They eat over 90% of the ticks they encounter, reducing the spread of Lyme disease.
- They are immune to most snake venom, helping balance ecosystems.
- Their naturally low body temperature makes them unlikely carriers of rabies.
- They are obsessive groomers, keeping themselves surprisingly clean.
Unfortunately, their climbing instincts can land them in trouble. Many fall into tall trash cans and are unable to climb back out, leading to dangerous situations like this one.
A Happy Ending
After several days of gentle care, grooming, and nutritious meals, the opossum made a full recovery. When it came time for his release, the staff gathered to watch him scurry back into the wild.
“It was a rewarding moment when we finally released him back into the wild, where he truly belonged,” RRWC shared.
The heartwarming rescue is a reminder that opossums play a vital role in local ecosystems—and deserve compassion rather than fear.
“Embrace the opossum,” RRWC concluded. “Your yard will be better for it!”