BYRAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — Baby opossums were rescued in Byram Township after their mother, who was carrying eight babies, was struck by a vehicle on Tamarack Road, according to Hopatcong Animal Shelter officials.
The incident occurred last week when a resident discovered the injured opossum along the roadway and safely moved the animal out of traffic. The resident then realized the mother was carrying babies in her pouch, officials said.
The Byram Township Police Department responded to the scene and requested assistance from animal control officers to help rescue the surviving baby opossums.
The shelter also thanked The Last Resort Wildlife Refuge for its assistance.
Hopatcong Animal Shelter officials thanked both the resident who stopped to help and Byram police officers for their response.
“We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Byram Police for going above and beyond to ensure these babies were brought to safety and given a chance to survive,” the shelter said in a statement. “Their compassion and quick response made all the difference.”
