Karenlynn Stracher is a seasoned wildlife rescuer who never hesitates to act when an animal’s life hangs in the balance, no matter how risky the situation might be.
Alongside her rescue work, Stracher also has a long career as a paramedic in New York City, where she has saved countless human lives. With her deep experience, she never backs down from the chance to do good.
So, when she received word that a wild creature was stuck in the center of a nearby highway, she immediately dropped everything and raced toward the scene.
Running Into Traffic To Reach Him
Despite the heavy traffic clogging New York streets, Stracher managed to reach the location quickly. From the opposite side of the highway, she spotted the small animal nervously watching the rushing cars, frozen in place and too afraid to move.
A closer look revealed the stranded creature was a frightened possum. With vehicles speeding past and barely anyone noticing the danger, she realized she had to act fast.
In normal circumstances, Stracher would call the police to block traffic while she carried out the rescue. This time, local authorities were unavailable, leaving her to handle the dangerous task on her own.
“I got all of my equipment ready, and then I watched traffic patterns for a few minutes,” Stracher told The Dodo. “When I saw a break in traffic long enough for me to cross to the median, I took the opportunity.”
Once she reached the median, she approached the possum slowly, holding a fleece blanket she planned to use for capture.
The little animal was panicked and overstimulated, so Stracher knew she had just one chance to get it right.
True to her reputation, she swiftly covered the possum with the blanket, lifted him up, and carried him safely across the road to her vehicle.
As with so many of her other brave endeavors, this mission was another absolute success.
Releasing Him Back To His Wild Home
Stracher knew the middle of a highway was no place for a possum, so she first brought him home to check for injuries.
The frightened animal wasn’t cooperative during her examination, but Stracher understood this behavior was completely natural. With patience and skill, she completed the check without trouble.
Once she confirmed the little wanderer was unharmed, she quickly arranged for his release back into a safe environment.
“I’m happy that he has a place nearby that is safe and provides him access to water and natural foods,” Stracher said.
At last, the possum returned to the wild where he belonged. Although he didn’t enjoy the handling, somewhere deep down he must have felt the kindness in her actions.
Now, in his natural world, he carries the gift of survival thanks to a rescuer who refused to let him be forgotten.