On the previous Tuesday, October 13, I photographed the release of six (yes, six!) opossums from Robyn Graboski’s Centre Wildlife Care (CWC). The release involved two litters and was handled by Kimberly Townsend and Kim Lloyd, accompanied by Patrick Klena, who had driven one of the litters (discovered by Kim) to CWC. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon – clear, sunny, and warm – and I can’t say that the opossums were, at first, too thrilled about cooperating.
After arriving at our destination, in central Pennsylvania, Kimbery (left) and Kim (right) took out the transport crates holding the opossums.
They placed the crates on the ground reasonably close to the underbrush into which the opossums would go.
Kimberly opened the crate and two little opossums stare out. (There are actually four opossums in that crate.)
With the crate door open, one little opossum take a closer look at the new world.
The opossum checks to its left.
And then checks to the right.
All looks safe, but there’s a lot to think about. These opossums were taken in when so young that none of them had any experience with grass or ground.
From the other crate, two sleepy opossums contemplate the meaning of everything.
The opossums are snug, warm, and comfortable. Why leave a safe place?
Consequently, Kim takes the matter to the next level and prepares to remove the top off of each crate.
“What’s happening?”
And a third opossum sticks its nose out from under cover.
Meanwhile, the opossums from the other crate are just as sleepy as those four in the first crate.
Finally, one gets the idea that something new is happening and perhaps it’s time to check it out.
The first explore is limited to inspecting what used to be the roof of their “home.”
From the other crate, an opossum (who I believe is Florence, or Flo) makes a tentative first step toward freedom.
Flo’s first step is followed by a more determined second step.
Suddenly, there Flo is. On the grass. It is all so different. But it is a definite beginning.
Flo continues her initiative and rapidly walks past the first crate.
There’s no stopping Flo now.
And Flo disappears into the underbrush.
Flo’s activity sparked the remaining opossums who all became interested in exploring.
Milling and exploration continue.
The remaining five opossums are all on the grass and show no more interest in their transport crates.
One by one, each opossum disappears into the underbrush.
There is a definite satisfaction, especially among Kimberly Townsend, Kim Lloyd, and Patrick Klena, that opossums who were first rescued when so young, tiny, and helpless have returned to their natural environment.
