A woman in Miami-Dade used a skimmer net to pull an opossum out of her swimming pool, and the rescue was captured on video. I watched the clip that WSVN 7 Miami posted, and it shows the opossum paddling along the pool edge before the homeowner gently lifted it to safety.
The opossum was found swimming in the pool at a home in an unspecified Miami-Dade neighborhood. The homeowner noticed the animal struggling and used the pool-cleaning tool to scoop it out, after which the opossum walked away, apparently unharmed. In Florida, opossums are common in suburban yards and often end up in pools because they forage near water and can slip in while trying to drink.
What this means for Florida homeowners
Opossums are excellent swimmers, but a pool’s slick sides offer no grip, so they can get trapped and exhaust themselves. If you find a wild animal in your pool, a skimmer net is the safest way to remove it , never use bare hands. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises that opossums rarely carry rabies due to their low body temperature, so they are usually not a public health risk. For more details on handling other backyard visitors, I have a guide on the best snake traps for Florida homes that also covers safe removal techniques. The WSVN 7 Miami report confirms this rescue is a good reminder that a calm approach works best.
The notice is published by WSVN 7 Miami at wsvn.com.
