Help! There\u2019s an injured or possibly dead opossum in the road. What should I do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can safely do so, it\u2019s generally a good idea to stop when you find an animal in the road, whether the animal is dead or alive. Helping a live animal off the road and getting the animal into care – even if the only care option is euthanasia – is the right thing to do. Moving a dead animal out of the road will decrease the chances that animals scavenging the body will themselves become victims of a vehicle strike. (It\u2019s important to always have sturdy gloves in your car for just this need.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opossums present a special case, as they are marsupials. In fact, they\u2019re the only marsupial in North America! As such, an injured or dead opossum may be a mother with babies in her pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the opossum is in the road, move him\/her to the shoulder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the animal is alive, get him\/her into a box or other carrier and use Animal Help Now\u2019s wildlife emergency service app to find the nearest emergency assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are uncertain whether or not the animal is alive, gently touch the animal\u2019s back feet and eyes and face, check for any movement as you do so. If the animal is alive, get her into a box or other carrier and use Animal Help Now\u2019s wildlife emergency service to find the nearest emergency assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the animal is dead and has a pouch, check for babies in the pouch. You can do so by gently lifting up the skin on the pouch and peeking inside. If there are babies in the pouch, you will need to take the mom’s body as is to a rehabilitator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note: If for some reason taking the mom’s body is not possible, you can transfer the babies to a warm container or carrier with a towel or blanket, but this is an extremely delicate procedure<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We suggest keeping an animal rescue kit (https:\/\/ahnow.org\/kits) in your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n