Injured opossum has rescuers in tears: "We discovered something that made her story even more heartbreaking"
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania – A good Samaritan went to check on an injured animal hours after she thought it'd been rescued. Sadly, the opossum was still there, and the story gets even sadder: This opossum was a nursing mother.
Wildlife rescuers from Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, took to Facebook Monday with a heartbreaking post about an opossum they've dubbed Ruby.
This poor opossum's rescue took multiple hours.
Per the organization's post, she was found lying on the side of the road by a woman on her way to work.
The woman called a friend because she couldn't stop for the animal. Unfortunately, the friend didn't follow through.
Luckily, the woman listened to her gut. She returned to check on the opossum and rescued Ruby herself.
Rescuers think the opossum was struck by a car and has a head injury.
During Ruby's exam, the care team "discovered something that made her story even more heartbreaking."
"Ruby has mastitis, and three of her nipples are actively producing milk," they explained, adding, "Ruby was a nursing mother."
Ruby's plight has rescuers hurting
According to the wildlife organization, Ruby was "likely caring for approximately three babies before she was struck."
"Virginia opossum babies ride on their mother once they are old enough to leave the pouch, and we have absolutely no way of knowing what happened to Ruby's babies after the impact," per her care team.
Ruby's babies have unfortunately not been found.
"While we try very hard not to humanize wildlife, when you spend your life caring for injured animals, sometimes you meet one whose entire demeanor just feels heavy. Ruby feels heavy," the organization wrote.
Still, Ruby's care team is hopeful: "Today she has warmth. She has pain management and supportive care. She has food. She has people checking on her. And most importantly, she has a chance"
Ruby was just one of multiple animals brought in over the weekend. The organization has asked for donations to support its work.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshots/Facebook/Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center