Wild possums loose in Brooklyn
By Michèle De Meglio and Tony Cella
Comment
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| A possum was hit by a car and killed on Quentin Road in Marine Park. |
Wild possums are destroying Brooklynites’ gardens, threatening small dogs and terrifying teenage girls.
“Last year, while walking around the [Dyker Beach] golf course at dusk, my daughter and I bumped into one. We were so scared. We’re city girls,” said Marnee Elias-Pavia, district manager of Community Board 11, which covers Bensonhurst, Mapleton, Bath Beach and Gravesend.
Elias-Pavia’s 13-year-old daughter was terrified.
“My daughter screamed and I had to grab her from running into the street,” Elias-Pavia recalled.
Josephine Beckmann, district manager of Community Board 10, said there have been many reports of possums in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton.
“They look like rats,” she said. “They eat fruit off of fruit trees, they burrow, and they eat food from garbage cans.”
With possums on the loose, Reeves Eisen, a rep for City Councilmember Lew Fidler (D-Marine Park), said residents must take extra precautions with their pets.
“What concerns me is we’ve been told they go after small animals. So I only take my dog out on a leash, even in the yard, after dark,” Eisen said. “Since they’re nocturnal, people are advised to be very careful if they see them during the day.”
Maria Pagano, president of the Carroll Garden Neighborhood Association, said residents tell her stories of the creatures slipping out of Prospect Park and creeping through their neighborhoods.
Sara Weber, a gardener in Carroll Park, said she found dead pigeons and mutilated squirrel bodies throughout the park. Weber initially thought rat poison had killed the animals but now believes raccoons are to blame.
“I’d rather see possums than raccoons,” she said. “Raccoons have sharp claws and are more likely to attack a little kid who thought they were cute, but a possum would play, well, possum.”
City Councilmember Domenic Recchia (D-Coney Island) claims the city is responsible for the growing possum population.
About 10 years ago, “There was a rat problem in Marine Park and Gerritsen Beach so they brought the possums in to target the rats,” Recchia explained. “These possums weren’t supposed to be able to duplicate, to have babies. It turns out that they had babies. Now, they’re pretty much everywhere and they’re a problem.”
When questioned about Recchia’s claim, the mayor’s office referred calls to the city Health Department, which said, “We do not have a record of this action.”
Health Department officials said they had not received any complaints of wild possums but recommended that Brooklynites contact licensed trappers to rid their property of any possums considered a nuisance.
Urban Park Ranger Andrew Marsala described possums as shy but filthy animals that live off scraps.
“They act as nature’s garbage men,” Marsala said.
Possums’ opposable hind toes and prehensile tails allow them to climb trees in forests and the borough’s parks, he said. The creatures reproduce and mature at an incredible rate.
“They have a quick pregnancy,” Marsala said. “It’s almost like a bowel movement.”
Marsala believes possums aren’t dangerous. He offered a childhood story of how he chased and caught one of the critters. Marsala said the creature stuck out its tongue, rolled its eyes and played dead until he let it loose.
However, Anthony Prasearo, Brooklyn’s head Urban Park Ranger, did not advise chasing the marsupials. Prasearo said they will hiss and maybe even bite before curling up and playing, uh, possum.
“Give it some space,” he said. “They play possum as a last resort.”
Brooklynites say city officials must take action to ensure the safety of residents — especially since a rabid raccoon was found in Boerum Hill last month.
“There’s a lot of concern about rabies in raccoons and, with that, I think the city should do something about the possums,” Beckmann said.
“I don’t know whether they’re diseased or not. I think it needs to be watched to see if there’s rabies or other diseases,” Elias-Pavia agreed.
Brooklynites must protect themselves and their property, she added.
“People have to prevent possums from coming onto their property by keeping garbage cans closed tightly,” Elias-Pavia said.
Most importantly, don’t leave food out on your porch for stray cats or other wild animals.
“If you take away a food source maybe that will lure them to a different habitat,” Beckmann said.
“Last year, while walking around the [Dyker Beach] golf course at dusk, my daughter and I bumped into one. We were so scared. We’re city girls,” said Marnee Elias-Pavia, district manager of Community Board 11, which covers Bensonhurst, Mapleton, Bath Beach and Gravesend.
Elias-Pavia’s 13-year-old daughter was terrified.
“My daughter screamed and I had to grab her from running into the street,” Elias-Pavia recalled.
Josephine Beckmann, district manager of Community Board 10, said there have been many reports of possums in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton.
“They look like rats,” she said. “They eat fruit off of fruit trees, they burrow, and they eat food from garbage cans.”
With possums on the loose, Reeves Eisen, a rep for City Councilmember Lew Fidler (D-Marine Park), said residents must take extra precautions with their pets.
“What concerns me is we’ve been told they go after small animals. So I only take my dog out on a leash, even in the yard, after dark,” Eisen said. “Since they’re nocturnal, people are advised to be very careful if they see them during the day.”
Maria Pagano, president of the Carroll Garden Neighborhood Association, said residents tell her stories of the creatures slipping out of Prospect Park and creeping through their neighborhoods.
Sara Weber, a gardener in Carroll Park, said she found dead pigeons and mutilated squirrel bodies throughout the park. Weber initially thought rat poison had killed the animals but now believes raccoons are to blame.
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City Councilmember Domenic Recchia (D-Coney Island) claims the city is responsible for the growing possum population.
About 10 years ago, “There was a rat problem in Marine Park and Gerritsen Beach so they brought the possums in to target the rats,” Recchia explained. “These possums weren’t supposed to be able to duplicate, to have babies. It turns out that they had babies. Now, they’re pretty much everywhere and they’re a problem.”
When questioned about Recchia’s claim, the mayor’s office referred calls to the city Health Department, which said, “We do not have a record of this action.”
Health Department officials said they had not received any complaints of wild possums but recommended that Brooklynites contact licensed trappers to rid their property of any possums considered a nuisance.
Urban Park Ranger Andrew Marsala described possums as shy but filthy animals that live off scraps.
“They act as nature’s garbage men,” Marsala said.
Possums’ opposable hind toes and prehensile tails allow them to climb trees in forests and the borough’s parks, he said. The creatures reproduce and mature at an incredible rate.
“They have a quick pregnancy,” Marsala said. “It’s almost like a bowel movement.”
Marsala believes possums aren’t dangerous. He offered a childhood story of how he chased and caught one of the critters. Marsala said the creature stuck out its tongue, rolled its eyes and played dead until he let it loose.
However, Anthony Prasearo, Brooklyn’s head Urban Park Ranger, did not advise chasing the marsupials. Prasearo said they will hiss and maybe even bite before curling up and playing, uh, possum.
“Give it some space,” he said. “They play possum as a last resort.”
Brooklynites say city officials must take action to ensure the safety of residents — especially since a rabid raccoon was found in Boerum Hill last month.
“There’s a lot of concern about rabies in raccoons and, with that, I think the city should do something about the possums,” Beckmann said.
“I don’t know whether they’re diseased or not. I think it needs to be watched to see if there’s rabies or other diseases,” Elias-Pavia agreed.
Brooklynites must protect themselves and their property, she added.
“People have to prevent possums from coming onto their property by keeping garbage cans closed tightly,” Elias-Pavia said.
Most importantly, don’t leave food out on your porch for stray cats or other wild animals.
“If you take away a food source maybe that will lure them to a different habitat,” Beckmann said.
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| Coffee and Pie (and Ice Cream), Oh My! | Cops kill Gerritsen Beach youth |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
Katherine wrote on Mar 9, 2010 7:38 AM:
" TWO reporters it took to write something this ridiculously maligning and ungrounded? Michele and Tony, did you do ANY research before you wrote this? I would fire you for this.
add #13 - anyone stupid enough to write such garbage deserves to be bitten.
I am sorry, but this is awful journalism. "
add #13 - anyone stupid enough to write such garbage deserves to be bitten.
I am sorry, but this is awful journalism. "
KAM wrote on Mar 9, 2010 7:47 AM:
" Raccoons are not rodents either, nor are they agressive unless cornered as is almost every animal.
They are distantly related to bears and no more diseased than humans are.
Raccoons are being vaccinated for rabies right now by NYC in the parks.
Pigeons can carry over 60 diseases, ant bites kill 50 people a year, dog bites are beyond countable. It's called OUR WORLD and it includes more than humans. Learn about it a litle and you will find it more interesting than any technology.
Come on, media people! Shock readers with exciting facts instead of distorted fears. This was pathetic reporting. "
They are distantly related to bears and no more diseased than humans are.
Raccoons are being vaccinated for rabies right now by NYC in the parks.
Pigeons can carry over 60 diseases, ant bites kill 50 people a year, dog bites are beyond countable. It's called OUR WORLD and it includes more than humans. Learn about it a litle and you will find it more interesting than any technology.
Come on, media people! Shock readers with exciting facts instead of distorted fears. This was pathetic reporting. "
Lisanne wrote on Mar 10, 2010 2:54 PM:
" Most people never have seen a possum here. They are nervous around people, and react to sound by running off. But feed them, and they will let you pet them. Just don't say a word when you do.
They're kind of cute once you get used to them. "
They're kind of cute once you get used to them. "
Paula wrote on Mar 10, 2010 8:46 PM:
" Readers can find much information on the Internet regarding the usefulness of opossums in the environment, their resistance to diseases that are transmittable to people or pets, and their uniqueness as North America's only marsupial.Yes, like all marsupials they have a short pregnancy, and then intimately care for their young for the next 3-4 months.
This is one of the stupidest articles I have ever read, and the author's should be ashamed for fear mongering. "
This is one of the stupidest articles I have ever read, and the author's should be ashamed for fear mongering. "
Janice wrote on Mar 11, 2010 4:45 AM:
" Another newspaper cuts back on fact checkers to stay afloat. "
Catherine wrote on Mar 11, 2010 12:24 PM:
" Please educate yourself on the opossum. opossum.org. Opossums are not rodants they are marsupials. They carry zero disease, they have no defenses and they clean up our enviorment. Many of us spend thousands of dollars of personal money to care for and rehabilitate injured orphaned babies, to release them back into the wild. A strong education is always better than bad assumptions. "
Joyce perry wrote on Mar 11, 2010 12:47 PM:
" I was very disappointed in your approach to this article on opossums. You failed to research this very special animal. You are needlessly alarming people which will encourage them to kill or displace these creatures. Opossums are our only North American marsupial and should be treated with respect. Opossums do not harbor rabies or any other zoonotic diseases. Opossums are solitary animals who prefer to be left alone to find food and raise their young in peace. No opossums do not attack cats, dogs or squirrels. I have seen opossums eating side by side with cats and raccoons. If cornered a opossum will hiss and open his mouth and make aggressive movements to ward off a predator. Leave them alone and keep your garbage covered and do not put food outside. People should be excited to be able to view any wildlife in the city. I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and I have cared for hundreds of opossums over the years. I would like you to call me and let's write an factual and positive article on opossums. I have adorable photos of baby opossums you could include in your article. Please consider an article to educate people on opossusms and how healthy they are for the environment because they will clean up your mice, rats and grubs. "
bonerkiller wrote on Mar 11, 2010 7:16 PM:
" "However, Anthony Prasearo, Brooklyn’s head Urban Park Ranger, did not advise chasing the marsupials. Prasearo said they will hiss and maybe even bite before curling up and playing, uh, possum."
Hmmmmm "
Hmmmmm "
Chicken Underwear wrote on Mar 16, 2010 6:19 AM:
" They are kinda weird looking when they are alive
http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2009/03/breaking-news-possum-in-park-slope.html "
http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2009/03/breaking-news-possum-in-park-slope.html "
ACW wrote on Mar 18, 2010 9:51 AM:
" The same issue came up in Staten Island with turkeys. People in NYC are just insanely afraid/paranoid about anything "wild" and articles like this fuel the fires of ignorance. If the writers have journalistic credentials, they should be stripped of them for publishing such garbage.
PS - Sounds like a NY Post article, they write nothing but trash. "
PS - Sounds like a NY Post article, they write nothing but trash. "
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KR wrote on Mar 8, 2010 11:02 PM:
2. They are North Americas only marsupal, related to the animals in Australia...kangroos..etc.
3. Body temp is 96 degrees, too cool to harbor the rabies virus., which needs 98 degrees.
4. Opossums are cleaner than cats, and will stop in mid-meal to wash and clean.
5. 13 days after mating, small grub like babies crawl up fom the tail region and enter the pouch, were they will latch onto 1 of 13 milk ducts. Babies lap their mother milk, they do not suckle as dogs and cats do.
(Males have a forked penis to ensure a successcul mating)
6. Opossums are immune to snake venom, and they love to eat snakes.
7. They live 2 -3 years.
8. All opossums are "wild".
9. The relocation of wild animals to use to catch rats is illegal. Relocation of any wild animal is illegal unless you have a permit or are licensed by the state of NY.
10. Check with the New York Dept of Environmental Conservation to get your facts right before you print such a foolish article that will result in people killing a wild animal that has been here way before people ever knew New York existed. They are afraid of humans and is more bluff tham bite.
11. The best way to controling the local wildlife is to clean up your trash and remove the food they seek.
12. Anyone stupid enough to chase a opossum deserves to be bitten.
Signed a Licensed Master Wildlife Rehabilitator. "