Opossum native to North America captured in Honolulu

HONOLULU (AP) — The state Department of Agriculture says a foot-long juvenile opossum was found and captured in Honolulu.

The department says inspectors caught the animal in a parked vehicle in the Kakaako area. They responded after immigration officials reported they saw an opossum behind the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Office on Ala Moana Boulevard.

The department says it’s not known how the animal got to Honolulu but opossums are known to hitchhike in cargo containers.

Opossums are not native to Hawaii nor are they established here.

They’re native to North America and eat insects, bird eggs, rodents, fruits and vegetables.

The animals could be harmful to Hawaii’s environment if they were to become established in the islands.

An opossum was caught in a Sand Island warehouse cat trap in 2012.