Heartbreaking cruelty: Opossum found stabbed with harpoon

By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

A Virginia opossum was among the 109 patients admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week.

A man living in Golden Gate called late in the evening after he found a severely injured opossum. There was a bit of a communication barrier, but enough information was exchanged to convey the need to get the opossum to the wildlife hospital for immediate medical attention.

As staff looked into the transport box to assess the situation, it was hard to comprehend what had happened to the opossum. The small female opossum was lying on her side, tense, and obviously in significant pain. Dried blood covered the entire left side of her neck and mouth. It looked like the opossum had been impaled with a small, garden pitchfork that was protruding from the left side of her head and neck. Injectable pain medications and sedatives were administered immediately before any further examination was performed.

Once sedated, a radiograph was taken which revealed the opossum had been impaled with a five tine, barbed spearfishing harpoon. The tines had penetrated deep into the tissue in the opossum’s sinuses, mouth, jaw and neck.

The damage to the opossum was so severe, euthanasia was the only humane treatment option.

The cruelty shown to the Virginia opossum was heartbreaking and unlike anything the von Arx Wildlife Hospital staff had ever seen.

Collectively, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital staff has more than 70 years of experience working with sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, which speaks to how heinous this act of cruelty truly was. Senseless violence cost the opossum her life and the lives of the seven fetuses she was carrying.

You can help

Please, if you have knowledge of intentional cruelty to animals, call law enforcement officials. Studies have revealed the correlation between the abuse of animals and violence against people. Report domestic animal abuse to Collier County Domestic Animal Services; report acts of cruelty against wildlife to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Reports can be anonymous. You can protect wildlife and help stop the cycle of violence.

Opossums tend to be misunderstood and maligned yet, as a species, they serve an important role in a healthy ecosystem. Opossums are opportunistic omnivores; they eat a variety of items (insects, rodents, snakes) considered pests by many people. Opossum are not aggressive; they will open their mouth and sometimes hiss when threatened but that is a defensive behavior meant to scare away would be predators. If there is an opossum in your yard, just give it a few minutes so it can move on. Avoid attracting wildlife to your yard by keeping garbage cans securely locked and never feed pets outdoors.

Recent Releases

An eastern glass lizard, eight eastern cottontails, two mottled ducks, two common grackles, a northern cardinal, six mourning doves, a raccoon, two herring gulls, two marsh rabbits, a black vulture, two gopher tortoises, and a red-shouldered hawk were all released last week.

Opportunities to Help

There are many ways to remain engaged and support the Conservancy. Become a member, donate and visit our website at www.conservancy.org. Learn about the Conservancy’s work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.