'Cranky' Opossum Hospitalized After Indulging in Costco Chocolate Cake in Family's Backyard

An opossum in Nebraska recently found herself in a sticky situation after a wild escapade involving a Costco chocolate cake in a family's backyard. The furry critter, dubbed a "choco-holic" by Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, was discovered munching on the delectable treat just days before Valentine's Day.

The cake caper unfolded when Kim Doggett, a real estate agent, left the chocolate mousse cake on her deck furniture due to a lack of fridge space. Her son stumbled upon a scene straight out of a dessert-themed mystery novel—chocolate footprints, a vanishing cake, and an opossum that seemed a bit off.

The opossum had devoured more than half of the cake before halting her feast. While this sugary indulgence might be a delight for humans, it posed a potential threat to the wild animal. Concerned about the opossum's well-being, Doggett's family promptly whisked her off to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab for urgent care.

At the rehab center, the opossum underwent a thorough examination, including X-rays and bloodwork, to assess the extent of her chocolatey misadventure. Laura Stastny, the executive director, expressed concerns about the potential toxicity of chocolate to the opossum, although no definitive studies have been published on the matter.

However, the medical checkup revealed a surprising twist—the opossum was not only grappling with the aftermath of the chocolate cake binge but also facing lead toxicity. Stastny highlighted that lead poisoning is a common issue in wildlife, necessitating weeks of treatment and supportive care to eliminate the harmful substance from the opossum's body.

The Virginia opossum, the sole marsupial species in the U.S., received treatment at the Baldwin Wildlife Center and Hubbard Family Wildlife Hospital. Despite her initial panting and alert demeanor upon arrival, the opossum's journey to recovery is expected to be a gradual process.

Nebraska Wildlife Rehab shared on Instagram that the opossum, affectionately labeled as "cranky" due to her strict "zero chocolate" policy, is slated for release back into the wild in March. The road to rehabilitation involves a diet reset and a period of observation to ensure she is fit and ready to resume her natural habitat.

As the opossum gears up for her return to the wild, the wildlife rehab team remains optimistic about her recovery. The resilient marsupial, despite her chocolate-induced escapade and unexpected lead toxicity, is poised to make a triumphant comeback into the great outdoors, leaving behind her days of sugary indulgence.