Pocket Gopher Release
At Tucson Wildlife Center, not all patients need surgery or intensive treatment; some just need time.
This pocket gopher—a burrowing rodent named for its fur-lined cheek pouches—was brought to TWC after being accidentally unearthed at a construction site, leaving him with a minor pelvic fracture. With cage rest, supportive care, and a quiet space to heal, he gradually regained his strength.
Once his condition improved, he was moved to a large enclosure with dirt so our team could evaluate his mobility and ability to dig. Digging is essential for pocket gophers, allowing them to create burrows for shelter, find food, and avoid predators. This little engineer wasted no time tunneling beneath the surface.
Even during his recovery, his natural instincts remained strong. When our animal care team came by to administer medication, he would push dirt toward them, as if trying to build a barrier and “close the door” on the interaction—an amusing but encouraging sign of his recovery, demonstrating his wild defensive and burrowing behaviors.
Now fully healed, this little gopher has been successfully released back into the wild, where he can get back to doing what he does best—digging! If you would like to help patients like this pocket gopher, click this link to donate,
Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon or Chewy below:
We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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Thank you to everyone who supported us on Arizona Gives Day.
We, and our wildlife, appreciate it!
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