Recently, Long Island, New York, animal rescuer John Debacker checked his Facebook and found a message from a community member about a helpless animal trapped in the middle of a busy local highway.
Without hesitation, Debacker jumped in his car and raced to the scene.
The rescuer navigated heavy traffic, keeping his eyes peeled for the animal in need. When he spotted the adult opossum on the median, he quickly pulled over.
The community member certainly made the right call in contacting Debacker. According to West Shore Wildlife, an opossum “sitting in the same spot in the open” for an extended period of time is often in danger, and calling your local wildlife rehabilitator is the best way to ensure they get the help they need.
Thankfully, Debacker didn’t have any trouble maneuvering through the throngs of cars as he moved toward the center of the highway.
“Everyone was understanding, and no one honked,” the rescuer told The Dodo.
Debacker approached the animal and expertly grabbed him with a towel.
You can watch the rescue unfold in a video here:
The rescuer examined the opossum for injuries and found him in good health. He took the animal to a nearby park, far from the dangerous highway, and released him back into the wild.
As he watched the opossum run away, Debacker felt a sense of pride and relief.
“Highway rescues are always nerve-wracking at first,” Debacker said. “But it’s a great feeling after it’s done.”