Four Little Opossums

 

A winter home was desperately needed for 4 tiny 10-week old baby opossums and Aspen Valley was the only place that would accept them. Audrey had raised opossums before but they are not a common creature here at the Sanctuary. They have slowly adapted to our climate over the years since they illegally crossed the Canada/US border without a passport. The northern location of Aspen Valley is to cold for these cute little marsupials to survive in the wild.

 

The 4 little opossums were rescued out of the mother pouch when she had been killed by a car. They were only about 2 weeks old and with the care they were given grew up quickly. Now they need space, warmth and lack of human contact for when spring comes they will be ready to be returned to the wild. We were able to give them those needs when all other facilities failed to want house them.

 

In the warmth of our barn a large enclosure was created to provide the opossums with a natural environment. Hollow logs, a cozy bed of straw, tree branches and pine boughs gave them enrichment and comfort. They spend their days sleeping in the straw filled log curled up together. With the lack of human interaction they are becoming more weary and scared which is what they need to be. They will be brought back into Southern Ontario when the warmth returns to Ontario. But for now they will enjoy a winter, safe and sound, at the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.