A mother opossum and her babies, trapped in a drainage pipe near a residential area in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, were rescued through the prompt cooperation of firefighters and municipal authorities, and safely returned to nature. Amid an increasing number of cases where wildlife is isolated in urban residential areas due to recent urbanization and infrastructure development, this rescue operation serves as a moment to once again highlight the importance of protecting urban wildlife and the need to improve public awareness.

Dramatic Rescue of the Opossum Family Trapped in a Drainage Pipe

The mother opossum and two babies were found inside a drainage pipe connected to a drainage inspection chamber inside a commercial facility near the Paraguayan-Japanese Center in the Mburukujá neighborhood of Asunción. Their critical situation was brought to light thanks to the sharp observation of nearby residents. As water rose inside the drainage pipe due to recent heavy rain, increasing the risk of the animals drowning or becoming isolated, residents immediately asked the city government for help.

Upon receiving the report, the Asunción Municipal Zoonosis Department joined forces with the 2nd Republic of Trinidad Volunteer Fire Department and set out to the scene. It was a tricky operation that required specialized equipment because the entrance to the drainage pipe was blocked by a welded metal grating. Rescuers dismantled the grating with extreme care to avoid harming the animals, and finally successfully rescued both the mother and the two babies.

Juan Cabral, head of the Asunción Zoonosis Department, stated that thanks to the professional support of the firefighters, the operation was successfully completed without any human or animal casualties. The rescued opossum family was immediately transported to the Costanera Norte area. They were successfully released into the natural ecosystem near Banco San Miguel, an environment suitable for their survival and growth.

Mykurẽ, the Hidden Contributor to Paraguay's Ecosystem

Opossums, locally known as "mykurẽ," are marsupials commonly found throughout Paraguay. Although they are not classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other organizations, those living in urban areas overlapping with human settlements constantly face threats to their survival. The greatest threat is human indifference and fear driven by misunderstandings of the animal's ecological characteristics.

Some residents mistake opossums for pests or aggressive wild animals, feeling fear, threatening them, or taking their lives. However, ecologists and city authorities point out that this perception is a clear misconception. Opossums are inherently docile with almost no aggressiveness, and they extremely avoid encountering humans except when they feel threatened. They hide in dark, safe shelters during the day and are active at night.

Above all, opossums are beneficial animals that contribute to maintaining Paraguay's urban and natural ecosystems. Thanks to their diet of hunting insects and various small creatures, they play a role in naturally controlling pest populations. In other words, they are essential beings that sustain the balance of the food chain in the urban ecosystem.

Tasks for Coexistence Between Cities and the Wild

 Experts and city authorities urge people never to attempt to capture or attack opossums directly if they encounter them in urban residential or commercial areas. This is because the animal may show a defensive instinct when startled or biting accidents may occur. Instead, it is advisable to immediately contact relevant local government departments or rescue teams so that trained professionals can intervene.

The Asunción City government releases rescued opossums into habitats with high wildlife adaptability and well-established protection measures, such as near Costanera Norte or Parque Guasu. This incident demonstrates that urban infrastructure can block wildlife corridors while proving that peaceful coexistence between humans and indigenous creatures is possible. A proper understanding and respectful attitude toward the habits of wild animals like the mykurẽ form a solid foundation for protecting Paraguay's biodiversity.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]