Karenlynn Stracher is an experienced wildlife rescuer who never hesitates to intervene when an animal’s life is at risk, no matter how perilous the situation may be.
Alongside her work in animal rescue, Stracher has a long career as a paramedic in New York City, saving countless human lives. With her extensive experience, she approaches every emergency with calm determination and refuses to step back from helping those in need.
When she learned that a wild creature was trapped in the middle of a nearby highway, she immediately left everything behind and sped toward the scene without delay.
Racing Into Traffic To Reach The Creature
Despite the congestion of New York streets, Stracher arrived quickly. From across the highway, she spotted a small animal frozen in place, nervously watching the speeding cars, paralyzed with fear.
A closer look revealed the stranded animal was a possum, clearly terrified and trapped amid the relentless flow of traffic. Recognizing the urgency, she knew immediate action was necessary.
Under normal circumstances, Stracher would have contacted police to block traffic, but no authorities were available, leaving her to manage the dangerous rescue 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 carefully, holding a fleece blanket to safely capture him.
The little animal was panicked and overstimulated, so Stracher knew she had only one chance to succeed.
With precision, she covered the possum with the blanket, lifted him, and carried him safely to her vehicle.
As with many of her courageous rescues, his effort ended successfully.
Returning The Possum To A Safe Natural Habitat
Stracher knew the highway was no place for the possum, so she first brought him home to check for injuries.
The frightened possum resisted the examination, but Stracher remained patient and gentle, understanding this reaction was entirely natural. She completed the check efficiently and confirmed he was unharmed.
Once assured of his health, she arranged for his release into a secure, natural environment.
“I’m happy that he has a place nearby that is safe and provides him access to water and natural foods,” Stracher said.
Finally, the possum returned to his wild home, free and unharmed. While he may not have appreciated the handling, he gained a second chance at survival thanks to a rescuer who refused to let him remain in danger.
