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Kayaker Stunned When He Spots Small Furry Creature Clinging Onto Piling For Dear Life

Left image shows an opossum in a fishing net while a kayaker rescues him. Right image shows the kayaker helping the opossum out of the net on dry land.

Kayaks are a popular way to enjoy water. They are small, inexpensive, and versatile enough for various adventures. Rainer Dombek uses his for fishing, and he was out one day testing his new fish finder. Nearing a bridge, he spotted a furry critter clinging to a piling. It was an opossum, and Rainer knew he could help. Using his fishing net, the kayaker rescues the opossum, but not without a little effort.

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@rainershinefishing

Took the kayak out to test my new fish finder. It was a very slow day of fishing when I pulled up to a bridge piling to see this little guy clinging for life. He put up a fight at first, but in the end I’m sure he was happy to see land. The opossum must have been washed away in the storms we had the day before. Checked up on him an hour after the release and was doing well cleaning himself. Even drank some of the water I left. #kayakfishing #oldtownkayaks #fishing #opossumsoftiktok #help #fyp

♬ Help – The Beatles Tribute Project

Although the opossum put up a little fight, the kayaker was able to coax it into a fishing net. Rainer thinks that storms the previous day washed the critter out. The animal was likely exhausted and frightened after clinging to the piling all night. Once the little critter was in his net, Rainer headed for dry land.

Left image shows a small opossum clinging to a bridge piling. Right image shows the tired opossum in a fishing net as he was rescued by a kayaker.
Image from TikTok.

There is no way to know what the little opossum thought after its rescue by the kayaker. After realizing it was back on dry land, Rainer felt the little guy was grateful. He set up some water and left the animal but returned later to check on it. When he checked, he noted the opossum had drunk some water and was busy cleaning itself.

Left image shows the opossum rescued by the kayaker clinging to the fishing net as he is released on dry land. Right image shows the little opossum trying to get his bearings on dry land.
Image from TikTok.

There seem to be two camps when opossums enter the conversation — people either love them or hate them. They certainly won’t win any beauty contests. Opossums eat ticks and other bugs, can’t get rabies, and are immune to bees, scorpions, and other venoms. If you have one in your suburban yard, you should welcome it. They are “nature’s cleanup crew” and will eat almost everything.

We’re happy that kayaker Rainer was able to rescue this opossum and release him on dry land, where he will be safe. Please share.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.

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