Relocate Opossum – Humane Wildlife Removal

Where Should I Relocate an Opossum After Catching It?

What do you do now that you’ve gone through all the trouble of getting the right bait and trap, setting them up, and finally catching the creature? Relocate opossum!

How Far Away?

Opossums are intelligent animals and have a great memory. This means that they can easily find their way back to your home if you don’t relocate them far enough. That’s why you should take them somewhere that’s at least five miles away from your home.

What Type of Habitat?

Opossums live in a variety of locations and aren’t too picky about their habitat. They’ll be fine so long as there’s a source of water nearby and plenty of trees for them to climb. Marshes and streams work quite well, but it’s best to relocate them to a nice forested area that’s far away from any towns or cities.

Are There Safety Concerns?

Moving opossums can be quite dangerous if you aren’t careful. Not only do they carry diseases, but they might decide to scratch and bite you because they’re scared. That’s why you should wear gloves and try not to touch them directly.

You should also look to relocate opossums at night. This is because they’re nocturnal and are most active at night, so they’ll be in the best shape to adapt to their new environment.

Are There Legal Issues?

The relocation and release of opossums is actually illegal in most states. That’s why you should check your state’s animal protection laws or even call a wildlife control professional to advise you on what you can and can’t do.

Dangers of Relocation

While you clearly have good intentions by wanting to relocate the opossum instead of killing it, you should consider how dangerous this could be for the animal. You’ll be introducing it to unfamiliar territory, meaning it won’t know where to find food or shelter. There could also be new predators lurking in the shadows – creatures the opossum has never seen or dealt with before – which could make a quick meal out of it. The opossum might even have had a litter of children with it when you caught it, and now both parent and children are separated from each other.

You may want to get rid of the opossum in a responsible and ethical way, but it might be best to just wait them out. Afterall, opossums are known for not staying in an area for too long, so they’ll be moving on to their new home before you even realize it.