ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — While many would not consider this one-eyed possum cute…
“We beg to differ.”
Joseph is changing people’s perspectives about possums.
“A lot of people love to see him moving around and doing possum things,” said April Lemonds at the North Carolina Zoo.
Someone found the one-year-old injured last year and after unsuccessfully trying to treat him at home, brought him to north carolina zoo’s wildlife rehabilitation center.
“He’s very special because he was treated there and he was supposed to go back into the wild, but due to really liking people and being dependent on them he did not make a good candidate for that, so lucky for us he is an ambassador now.”
Joseph lives at the zoo and participates in programs teaching people how to help his species by showing off his skills. Many people have never even seen a possum alive up close.
“It is truly something special to see Joseph doing his thing, doing behaviors and coming out and meeting people instead of being road kill.”
Zookeepers say as people get to know possums they will want to save them, and that’s as simple as securing trash cans and not throwing any litter out on roads.
“Although banana peels and apple cores do degrade in a natural habitat, they also cause animals to go to the road, so apples like that can cause them to get hit by cars unintentionally.
Zookeepers also share the importance of protecting wild spaces for possums, the only marsupial living in North America.
“A lot of times after the program is over they have a different opinion on possums.”
With a curious close-up like that, it’s easy to see why Joseph leaves a lasting impression.
