BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WBBM Newsradio) – Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s newest marsupial has a savory new name. After nearly 12,000 votes, the zoo’s rescued Virginia opossum has officially been named Crouton.
The young male opossum was rescued near Urbana-Champaign along with four littermates and rehabilitated at Oaken Acres Wildlife in Sycamore. His siblings were released into the wild, but Crouton could not be because he is missing fingers and toes on several feet, limiting his ability to climb.
Zoo officials said that what Crouton lacks in digits, he makes up for in personality.
Crouton cozies up in his new habitat at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Crouton will join the zoo’s Animal Ambassador program, helping visitors learn about Virginia opossums and their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Opossums eat insects and decaying matter and are North America’s only native marsupials.
Guests will eventually be able to see Crouton at the Hamill Family Play Zoo and during animal presentations at the Nature Stage.
Video of Crouton is available on WBBM Newsradio’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.
