A FARMER from Rigg performed a roadside emergency Caesarean section with his penknife to save two baby hares.
Robert Craig was silaging when he accidentally, and fatally, struck an adult female hare. Upon jumping out to check the animal he noticed movement in her belly.
“I saw her stomach move and knew instantly she was pregnant, and I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life,” Robert recalled this week. “I carefully cut her open and saw the babies. I gave them a gentle swing to clear out any mucus, just like you would with newborn lambs. Then I started rubbing their bodies to try and get them breathing, and sure enough, they gasped and came around.”
After warming the twins up he called the Scottish SPCA, who this week praised his efforts and gave an update on the leverets.
Although one did not survive the other was named Bruno and is making a remarkable recovery at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Staff there have hailed him as a little miracle after surviving such a dramatic birth and the death of his mother.
Animal rescue officer Emma Totney attended the scene and said: “I was surprised by how alert and energetic the baby was – it
was a huge relief. He was feeding well and already showing signs of real fight.”
“He was smaller than we’d expect for a newborn, but clearly a fighter. He’s a little miracle. We were all amazed he had survived such a dramatic start to life.
“It’s heart-warming to know that thanks to a kind-hearted farmer, the wildlife centre team, and myself, this little miracle will get the chance to return to the wild and live a full life.”
When Bruno was admitted to the centre he weighed just 80g – well below the typical 100–130g birth weight for a newborn hare.
Wildlife assistant Shauni Stoddart, who has been caring for him, said: “When Bruno first arrived, he was 20g underweight and in a very fragile condition. Due to his unique circumstances, he was hand-reared at home for the first five days to minimise stress. He responded incredibly well, quickly gaining strength.”
Bruno has since grown significantly, now weighing more than nine times his original weight. He has adapted to milk feeds and begun eating independently.
The team is optimistic that Bruno will be ready for release in the coming weeks, provided his progress continues.
“He’s a true little fighter,” added Shauni. “It’s been an emotional journey for everyone involved but seeing him grow stronger every day is so rewarding.”
However, the SSPCA staff have stressed the circumstances were
extraordinary, and do not recommend others perform surgery animals.
For more information about hares and what to do if you find a baby leveret, go to www.scottishspca.org/advice/hare/
