An animal emergency unfolded behind a South Dakota tattoo parlor when a mother opossum became trapped behind the business, and several of her babies dropped from her pouch as responders worked to free her.
Shop staff then helped get the separated babies to a wildlife rehabilitator, an intervention that gave the tiny animals a chance to survive.
Here's what to know
As Upworthy reported, Vishnu Bunny Tattoo & Piercing explained on Instagram (@vishnubunnytattoo): "A momma opossum made her way to a deep window well behind the shop. Animal control helped her out, but in the process, some babies fell from her pouch."
The shop said that once the babies were separated, the mother would not return for them. Staff then contacted Deanna Leach of Keepin It Wild Wildlife Rescue, and she rearranged her day and drove more than an hour to pick them up.
Christine Manika, who co-hosts on Sioux Falls radio station KXRB, later shared the rescue on Facebook and wrote, "The sad part is it's not unusual that possum moms don't come back for their babies once they are out of the pouch. Luckily these babies were in good hands!"
More background
Baby opossums can be especially vulnerable. Opossum Society US said the animals typically live only about one to two years, with dogs, cats, and humans among the predators the group lists.
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Opossums are also widely misunderstood. The organization noted that they are not rodents but marsupials — the only marsupial native to North America — and that their young rely on the mother's pouch to nurse and continue developing.
Accidental separation is especially dangerous. In this case, the babies' survival depended on prompt help from multiple people, including animal control, a local business, and a wildlife rescue operator who was already caring for other orphaned animals.
What's being done?
Leach stepped in right away, taking the babies into care in Jefferson, South Dakota.
Keepin It Wild Wildlife Rescue's mission is "to protect and rehabilitate injured, orphaned, and displaced animals, returning them to their natural habitats."
On social media, Leach described how demanding wildlife rehabilitation can be when large numbers of young animals arrive at once.
"With the overwhelming number of baby opossums currently in our care, we are in desperate need of more formula," Leach said. "These little ones require around-the-clock feedings, and we are going through supplies incredibly fast."
The babies from the tattoo shop appear to be recovering well in that care. In a video update shared with Upworthy, Leach told the publication, "These are the three from the tattoo place in Sioux Falls. Aren't they adorable? They're doing really good!"
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