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Rare Baby Marten Rescued After Mistake
1 May
Summary
- A baby pine marten was found in a rubbish bin.
- The animal was mistaken for a fox cub by a rescuer.
- This is a rare occurrence for the wildlife centre.
A baby pine marten, considered one of the UK's third rarest mammals, was recently admitted to the Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre. The tiny kit was discovered in a rubbish bin on April 21, weighing a mere 105 grams, alongside two deceased siblings.
A hedgehog carer initially believed the young animal to be a fox cub, leading to its handover to the rehabilitation centre. This admission is a significant event, as it is the first pine marten to be taken in by the centre during its 42-year history.
Currently two weeks old, the kit is blind and deaf, with its senses yet to fully develop. It is entirely dependent on human care and is being tended to by the centre's hand-rearing team.
The goal is to gradually reduce human contact as the kit weans, ensuring it can be released into a suitable wild habitat. The centre anticipates caring for the baby marten until August, after which it will collaborate with other organizations to identify a safe release site.
