On December 28, a resident in Wintergreen Resort, Virginia was startled by commotion inside their grill after turning it on. They immediately turned the grill off and opened it up to look inside. To their surprise, an adult opossum was hiding under the grate! The opossum had been using the grill for shelter and was injured when it started to heat up. After contacting Center staff, the citizen contained the opossum inside the grill and brought the entire grill to the Center, where staff safely removed the opossum.
On admission, the opossum was active, feisty, and had singed fur covering its body. Veterinary intern Dr. Olivia examined the opossum and found it had minor burns on both of its ears, but luckily no other injuries. The opossum was also very thin, possibly because it was having a difficult time coping with the cold weather. Dr. Olivia administered fluids and started the opossum on a course of pain medication and antibiotics. She then placed the opossum inside the Center's indoor holding area to rest.
So far, the opossum has been active and eating well, though it has developed slight necrosis on one of its ears and minor ulceration on the tip of its tail. The veterinary team will continue to treat the opossum's injuries and hope to acclimate it to being outdoors soon. If the opossum is able to gain weight and recover from its burns, its prognosis for release is good.