The Pitiful Possum Pentad are improving incrementally. They have a lot of catching up they need to do. All the bunnies are released (note to self, check all edges of older enclosures for rotten wood easily chewed by tiny rabbits). The 4 youngest squirrels have opened their eyes and a wren is staying while their tail feathers grow back.
The horror of glue traps
One day glue traps will be banned. Until then, birds, snakes, insects, lizards, mice and rats will all be victims of a prolonged death from starvation and dehydration. Â
This Carolina wren must have seen a previous insect victim and hopped on to the trap to fetch a seemingly easy meal. Their feathers, both wing and tail, became stuck. From what I understand, the homeowner waited a day but did bring the glue trap and bird to the University of Georgia Wildlife center for care.Â
The process
The vet students removed the bird from the trap, using one of multiple methods available, and treated for dehydration and any pain. The bird was then transferred to me for continued care while their feathers grow back in. Birdy is in a soft sided cage with places to hide, twigs to perch on, and lots of live mealworms and fresh water.
If this happens to you
My website includes detailed information on removing an animal stuck to a glue trap. Click the photo, there is a pdf of instructions halfway down the page.
Photo is courtesy of Marin Wildlife
However, as a lover of wildlife and reader of my blog, you won’t ever use glue traps and will spread the word about their cruel and inhumane method of catching and killing.
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A Day in the Life of a Rehabber
I was shadowed by Ellis Goud, a fourth year student at UGA, who is studying journalism and ecology and is going to pursue a career in science writing. Ellis is writing a paper on “A Day in the Life of a Rehabber” and I am honored to be the subject! They visited Saturday the 5th and got the “grand tour”. Then we went on a field trip!Â
A trip into the country
I now prefer to visit release sites in person ahead of time to make sure it meets all my requirements. Too many errors in communication or forgotten details have led to opossums being released in circumstances I regretted. This site is amazing and I’d love to release all the animals there! It has a pond, meadows, woodlands, an old barn full of soft hay, and owners that love and nurture all the wildlife. We even got to go for an ATV ride.
Another interview
My “shadow” will be visiting again this Friday to interview me more in depth. What a wonderful opportunity this has been to spread the word of resources available for wildlife lovers, and a chance for me to practice my own public speaking skills. I will be presenting at a Cub Scout meeting next week and I always get nervous talking about what I do and why.
The Pitiful Possum Pentad
These 5 babies, who eventually will be re-named The Precious Possum Pentad, or some happier adjective, came in on October 4. They were raised since August by a lady who gave them lots of affection but made mistakes based on the information she gleaned from the Internet. People can post anything on the Internet, and if it’s there, it seems like it must be true.
It wasn’t.
I don’t know which sites she went to or who she was in touch with, but it’s a miracle they are still alive. They are now being fed by gastric tube, so I know they are getting enough, every 3 hours. Even though they are getting regular feedings, they just started pooping yesterday. That’s how empty their little intestinal systems were.
No weight gain
Even if they were 15 to 20 grams when she found them, a weight of 40 grams after 6 weeks indicates something went very, very wrong. They are 1/3 of the size they should be, at least. Their organ, muscle, and likely brain developments are stunted. Â
Why I do not provide instructions on how to raise opossums yourself
Because you shouldn’t. Because without the right diet, the right tools, the right conditions, you can’t. Simple as that. This is what happens.Â
The Blame Game
I’m not trying to insult or demean her. She thought she could do it herself, and did consult some (irreputable) sources. She reached out for help when she realized something had gone terribly wrong.
