15 Rescued Wild Animals Released In San Diego County

RAMONA, CA — A total of 15 of the 18 animals taken to San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center for care earlier this month have been returned to the wild, the organization announced Monday.

Each of the mammals — opossums, raccoons, squirrels and a skunk — were dewormed and treated for fleas by the Humane Society's Project Wildlife team. All but one of the opossums was deemed healthy and released by volunteers on Thursday in San Diego County. The raccoons and skunk were released by volunteers on Friday.

"It is always our goal to rehabilitate and return wildlife to their natural habitat as quickly as possible," said Andy Blue, campus director of San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center. "We are glad we were able to assist an important state agency and have our Project Wildlife medical team diagnose and treat each animal based on their individual needs."

An adult female opossum who came in with "significant wounds on her face, body and tail" remains in care at the Wildlife Center, according to the Humane Society. Additionally, two adult squirrels were transferred to the organization's Bahde Wildlife Center in San Diego.

"One of the squirrels needed a tail amputation and is now recovering from surgery," Humane Society spokeswoman Nina Thompson said in a news release. "The second squirrel is healthy and helping with the recovery of the first squirrel by reducing stress while in care. Both squirrels are expected to return to the wild together in the coming days."

Each year, the Humane Society gives more than 13,000 injured, orphaned and sick wild animals a second chance, according to the organization. The Ramona Campus specializes in caring for native apex predators and birds of prey, including bears, bobcats, coyotes, eagles, hawks, mountain lions and owls.