[OC] Opossum attempts to cross the Mackinac Bridge

Image from preview.redd.it and submitted by mlivesocial
image showing [OC] Opossum attempts to cross the Mackinac Bridge

mlivesocial on June 2nd, 2025 at 14:32 UTC »

The little guy just wanted some pasties and the good life in the UP. But alas, the authorities captured and returned him to the lower peninsula.

wish1977 on June 2nd, 2025 at 14:34 UTC »

And he's the only one obeying the traffic laws.

Spartan2470 on June 2nd, 2025 at 15:40 UTC »

Here is a higher-quality version of this image. Credit to the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

Published: May. 31, 2025, 3:27 p.m.

By Tanda Gmiter

Maybe this little critter didn’t get the memo about no pedestrians allowed on the Mackinac Bridge?

An opossum was spotted walking across Michigan’s landmark bridge. It had to be captured and escorted off in a cage before being released on the Mackinaw City side of the structure, the Mackinac Bridge Authority said.

The Authority provided photos of the little marsupial’s bridge-crossing escapade and the effort to nab it. The incident happened Thursday evening.

“This opossum wandered out onto the bridge last evening and was spotted by a passing motorist,” Bridge Authority staff posted on social media. “Thanks to our staff (Cordell Schalk, Joe Schlehuber & Todd Joseph) and Deputy Davis from Mackinac Co Sheriff’s Dept, he was safely relocated to the south end of the bridge.”

The Mackinac Bridge is about 5 miles long and connects the Upper and Lower peninsulas. It costs $4 for a car to cross. It’s unclear where the opossum was headed, or if it had cash for the toll in its pouch.

The opossum adventure wasn’t the only wildlife encounter for bridge workers. Earlier this week, they were visited by some Canada geese showing off their new family members. The group of goslings did a quick strut on the Mighty Mac before heading back down to the water in the Straits of Mackinac.

“Another recent wildlife visit on the bridge: On Tuesday this family of Canada geese checked out work on the bridge,” the MBA said. “They were on the causeway section so they were able to get back down to the water as well.”