First of all THANK YOU Tom for saying what most of us were
probably thinking. Opossums and other non-native wildlife should not be
taken to Wildlife Rehab centers are their care will help to perpetuate a
species who existent natives could defiently live without. While
warm-fuzzies may gather some "soooooo cute" reactions I doubt those same
people would bother to take a baby Starling or House Sparrow to the rehab
center (at least I hope not). I'm not saying if people should actively
kill non-natives, thats other discussion we have had before and do not
need to repeat. I would personally leave it alone and if the mother is not
around a predator will get it as it should be. I hope that rehab centers
try to maximize their time for Native Wildlife and if so, we should not
take up their time with exotics, if not to kill them directly then at
least don't help them.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA

"Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood