In the middle of September 2011, the Wildlife Center of Virginia received two young male Virginia Opossums. #11-2374 and #11-2375 were rescued from the side of a road in the beginning of August after their mother was hit and killed by a car. Their rescuer raised them for more than a month—without a permit—before bringing them to the Center, and although the opossums were both healthy when they arrived, they were also—unfortunately—incredibly tame.

#11-2374 and #11-2375 spent their first month at the Wildlife Center in an outdoor enclosure, away from humans, and the Center’s rehabilitation staff limited their interactions with the two opossums in an attempt to reduce the brothers’ friendliness. Unfortunately, their efforts to reverse the taming trend were not successful and on October 17 our staff determined that both opossums were far too friendly to release into the wild. Because the outreach coordinators often use opossums in the Wildlife Center’s education programs, the outreach department decided to make some room on its ambassadorial team for two more opossums.  Therefore, #11-2374 and #11-2375 were moved together to a new outdoor enclosure near the other education mammals, and, after some debate, were named Bert and Ernie.

Bert and Ernie have spent the last month eating (and eating and eating) in preparation for the colder winter months, and although their tameness prevents them from being released, it has made their ongoing transition into outreach ambassadors an easier one. In the coming weeks, the Center’s outreach staff will begin working directly with the young brothers and preparing them for a life of educational service. 

Bert and Ernie are now available for adoption through our Caring for Critters program! You can help support the Center by adopting them or any of our other animal ambassadors….