Opossum Orphans Find Comfort in Plush Surrogate After Tragic Loss

After a heartbreaking car accident that claimed the life of their mother, a group of opossum babies was saved by the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue (NWR). In an effort to comfort the distressed joeys, NWR staff introduced a life-sized plush opossum as a surrogate, allowing the babies to thrive as they grow stronger and prepare for release back into the wild.
The rescue mission began when a fatal car accident left an opossum mother dead, with her babies still clinging to her, unwilling to let go. The NWR team quickly responded, gently removing the tiny joeys from their mother’s body and placing them in a pet carrier lined with soft blankets. Despite the tragic situation, the babies were in relatively good health, and the rescue team focused on giving them the best possible care.
Back at the NWR facility, the team set up a rigorous feeding schedule to ensure the joeys received the proper nutrition, but they also understood that these babies needed emotional comfort. To mimic the warmth and security they would have felt with their mother, the staff introduced a plush opossum into the incubator with the joeys.
The baby opossums immediately bonded with the plush surrogate, curling up against it for comfort and simulating the closeness they would have had with their real mother. “It’s not exactly the same, but it gives them something to snuggle with,” shared NWR staff in a Facebook update.
Weeks passed, and the opossums thrived under the care of the NWR team, growing stronger by the day. While they weren’t yet ready for release into the wild, they found solace in their plush mom, bringing hope to the team as they prepared to one day return these resilient joeys to their natural home.
NWR staff expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to care for the joeys, saying they believe their real mother would be proud of how they are thriving. They are hopeful for the day the joeys are ready to live freely again, knowing they’ve received the best possible care during this difficult chapter in their lives.