A few weeks ago, Kim made a startling discovery in her yard: a tiny, hairless, pink wild baby whose eyes hadn’t even opened yet. Alarmed but determined to help, she reached out to WEST Wildlife Rehab (WWR) for guidance.
WWR’s staff responded immediately, hoping to help Kim reunite the baby with its mother without intervention. Luckily, Kim was already one step ahead.
“She knew it needed to be back with its mama, so she put it in a bucket and attached the bucket to the tree where the nest was, then texted WEST,” WWR wrote on Facebook.
While the baby was now safely above the ground, WWR was concerned. Even on warm days, newborns with closed eyes can’t regulate their body temperature, and cold babies are often rejected by their mothers.
WWR advised Kim to warm a rice-filled sock in the microwave and place it next to the baby to keep him cozy. Kim followed the instructions — but when she returned outside, the sock was no longer needed.
“By the time she returned to the yard, mama had taken the baby back to the nest,” WWR wrote.
You can see more images from the squirrel’s rescue here:
Both Kim and the WWR staff were overjoyed to see the little one safely reunited with its mother so quickly. While wildlife rehabilitators are always ready to help, they emphasize the importance of public involvement in these reunions.
“There aren’t enough rehabbers to keep up with all the wildlife in need,” WWR explained. “If you find a healthy, uninjured baby on the ground, call your nearest rehabber. They’ll guide you on how to safely return the baby to its nest, where it belongs.”
Thanks to Kim’s quick thinking and care, this tiny squirrel’s story ended on a high note — a hopeful exception in the world of wildlife rescue.
“This story has the perfect ending,” WWR wrote.
To support rescues like this and help more wild babies get the care they need, you can donate to WEST Wildlife Rehab.
