All opossums are released! I repeat, all opossums are released! Except the tiny 5 that came in yesterday, who will spend the winter here. Bunnies will go soon, they are being "hardened off" in an outside pen. I have 4 squirrels which is a perfectly fine number, and I do not need more, thank you very much.
After a lot of research and asking around, I located wonderful release sites for the last two litters- The Currahee Club and the Petal Pals. Both went into barns or coops where they can return if they need a snack, a dry warm bed, or help.
The Currahee Club returned to where they were found, in the mountains of Toccoa, GA. Their Mom was killed in a so-called humane trap, but her 7 babies were rescued. They never warmed up to me and stayed wild little beings while they enjoyed the comforts of care. They were released inside an unused chicken coop that they can return to when in need or food, water, a bed, or medical care.
The Rubies, again and again
The Rubies were here for 4 months and finally the last one left to join his siblings. If you remember, 3 of the 4 escaped. The one left behind was released on the river. The next was found sleeping in the nest box, after days of exploring and freedom, and released on the river. The third was caught nosing around the second-stage cages looking for food, and released by the river. They are all at least 3 pounds, a lot bigger than I usually release.
Chip and the Tillman Trio
Yes, the squirrels. Nothing like an unfamiliar species to take you down a peg! Here I was, feeling like such a confident, competent rehabber, only to be brought nearly to tears with these 4. They cry, they fuss, they don’t like the flavor of the milk, or the nipple, or the temperature, or the way I’m holding them…it took a few days for us to learn each other. Now all 4 eat eagerly and I am looking forward to watching them grow. The oldest came with the name Chip, the 3 younger ones are the Tillman Trio.
The Possum Pentad
I think this group of 5 will be the last opossums to arrive in 2024. Their mother was hit by a car in mid August and a kind lady saved them. The information on the Internet, when it comes to wild animal care, is often dangerously wrong. I’m grateful she brought them to me when she realized they needed help. Right now they are too malnourished to get much “food” and are being rehydrated with low calorie nutrition. I am slowly introducing milk replacer formula into their diet. Even though they look small, they are older than you would think. I am tube feeding them to make sure they get enough all at once. They are in the incubator and I hope they will recover and grow up to be beaustiful, happy babies.
