When a woman from Long Island arrived to have her car’s windshield replaced, she expected a straightforward, quick process. What transpired, however, was far from ordinary.
Upon popping the hood, she noticed an accumulation of leaves, but what instantly captured her interest was a tan tail peeking out from beneath the foliage.
After recovering from her surprise, she quickly regained her composure and contacted a well-known wildlife rescuer for assistance.
Adorable Little Intruder
Once Karenlynn Stracher, a renowned wildlife rescuer from Long Island, received the woman’s call, she quickly made her way to the scene. Upon inspecting the location where the animal was spotted, she immediately identified a mound of leaves tucked inside.
“There is definitely a nest in there…” she noted in a TikTok video documenting the rescue.
After clearing away most of the leaves, a bundle of gray fur along with a slender tan tail emerged from the area surrounding the car engine.
At that moment, everything clicked – it was a tiny possum who had used its prehensile tail to create a cozy nest out of crunchy leaves. Stracher explained that “a prehensile tail allows an animal to grasp or manipulate objects.”
This little creature, while undeniably adorable, was understandably agitated and required a secure new home. With some effort, Stracher successfully caught him using her blanket and removed him from the vehicle.
She filmed the rescue and shared the video with her TikTok followers on her account, @wildliferehab_kl.
Home Sweet Home
Carefully wrapped in a blanket, Stracher placed the possum on the ground and checked to ensure he was unharmed.
After confirming that the little wild creature was in good shape, she transferred him into a carrier and commenced the search for his new home.
After a short walk, she found a nearby park filled with ample space and tall grass, making it an ideal spot for this small animal.
Stracher gently set the carrier on the ground, opened it, and allowed the possum to make his escape into the wilderness. It took him little time to do just that.
“Wishing you a wonderful life, little possum,” Stracher remarked as she watched him wander back to his natural habitat. “Stay safe.”
