Zookeepers save life of baby porcupine with unique type of therapy
Keepers at Blackpool Zoo nursed Dougie back to full health after they noticed he was struggling to move freely within minutes of being born.
The zoo said the North American tree porcupine was displaying limited use of his hind legs, possibly due to birth trauma, and was unable to feed naturally.
He was moved to a temperature-controlled brooder and was given daily physio and leg exercises, which helped him gradually regain full movement.
6 Heartwarming footage shows how zookeepers saved the life of a cute baby porcupine – by hand-rearing him with a bottle and giving daily physiotherapy.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
The prickly creature was also carefully fed a formulated milk blend to build up his strength.
Now, two months on, Dougie has taken his first steps and keepers say they are 'delighted.'
Jason Keller, senior keeper at Blackpool Zoo, said: 'It isn't easy to give daily physiotherapy sessions to an animal that is so small and so spiky, but everyone was determined to give him the best possible chance.
6 The zoo said the North American tree porcupine, named Dougie, was displaying limited use of its hind legs, possibly due to birth trauma, and was unable to feed naturally.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
'We only hand-rear in extreme circumstances, and we knew Dougie would not have been able to feed from his mother due to his initial mobility issues.
'He has achieved many milestones from taking his first steps to deciding which logs are his favourite to climb on and tasting solid foods such as root vegetables and tree bark.
'His survival marks an important milestone in Blackpool Zoo's animal care history and is a testament to the skill and commitment of the team.'
6 The porcupine was moved to a temperature-controlled brooder and was given daily physio and leg exercises, which helped him gradually regain full movement.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
Dougie was born on May 22 to mom Willow and dad Simon, weighing just 468 grams and measuring around 20cm.
It is the first time the zoo has ever hand-reared this species – and they believe he would not have survived without intervention.
Jason added: 'Dougie is now two months old, weighs around 2kg, and is permanently living with his mom, which is fantastic.
'He's exhibiting all the natural behaviours expected of his species, including climbing, chewing browse, and suckling.
6 This is the first time the zoo has ever hand-reared this species – and they believe he would not have survived without intervention.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
6 'His survival marks an important milestone in Blackpool Zoo's animal care history and is a testament to the skill and commitment of the team,' said Jason Keller, senior keeper at Blackpool Zoo.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
'While we have housed this species for more than 30 years, we have never hand-reared them.
'It was a very challenging time for all of us, and keepers who live onsite were taking up the night shifts when he was feeding around the clock.
6 The North American tree porcupine is a large, slow-moving rodent native to the forests of Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico.
Blackpool Zoo / SWNS
'We will keep an eye on him and Willow in our specialist care area for a little longer and keep everyone up to date on his progress, including when he moves back into our porcupine habitat.'
The North American tree porcupine is a large, slow-moving rodent native to the forests of Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico.
They have a distinctive coat of sharp quills.
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Heartwarming footage shows how zookeepers saved the life of a cute baby porcupine – by hand-rearing him with a bottle and giving daily physiotherapy. Keepers at Blackpool Zoo nursed Dougie back to full health after they noticed he was struggling to move freely within minutes of being born. The zoo said the North American tree porcupine was displaying limited use of his hind legs, possibly due to birth trauma, and was unable to feed naturally. He was moved to a temperature-controlled brooder and was given daily physio and leg exercises, which helped him gradually regain full movement. 6 Heartwarming footage shows how zookeepers saved the life of a cute baby porcupine – by hand-rearing him with a bottle and giving daily physiotherapy. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS The prickly creature was also carefully fed a formulated milk blend to build up his strength. Now, two months on, Dougie has taken his first steps and keepers say they are 'delighted.' Jason Keller, senior keeper at Blackpool Zoo, said: 'It isn't easy to give daily physiotherapy sessions to an animal that is so small and so spiky, but everyone was determined to give him the best possible chance. 6 The zoo said the North American tree porcupine, named Dougie, was displaying limited use of its hind legs, possibly due to birth trauma, and was unable to feed naturally. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS 'We only hand-rear in extreme circumstances, and we knew Dougie would not have been able to feed from his mother due to his initial mobility issues. 'He has achieved many milestones from taking his first steps to deciding which logs are his favourite to climb on and tasting solid foods such as root vegetables and tree bark. 'His survival marks an important milestone in Blackpool Zoo's animal care history and is a testament to the skill and commitment of the team.' 6 The porcupine was moved to a temperature-controlled brooder and was given daily physio and leg exercises, which helped him gradually regain full movement. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS Dougie was born on May 22 to mom Willow and dad Simon, weighing just 468 grams and measuring around 20cm. It is the first time the zoo has ever hand-reared this species – and they believe he would not have survived without intervention. Jason added: 'Dougie is now two months old, weighs around 2kg, and is permanently living with his mom, which is fantastic. 'He's exhibiting all the natural behaviours expected of his species, including climbing, chewing browse, and suckling. 6 This is the first time the zoo has ever hand-reared this species – and they believe he would not have survived without intervention. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS 6 'His survival marks an important milestone in Blackpool Zoo's animal care history and is a testament to the skill and commitment of the team,' said Jason Keller, senior keeper at Blackpool Zoo. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS 'While we have housed this species for more than 30 years, we have never hand-reared them. 'It was a very challenging time for all of us, and keepers who live onsite were taking up the night shifts when he was feeding around the clock. 6 The North American tree porcupine is a large, slow-moving rodent native to the forests of Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. Blackpool Zoo / SWNS 'We will keep an eye on him and Willow in our specialist care area for a little longer and keep everyone up to date on his progress, including when he moves back into our porcupine habitat.' The North American tree porcupine is a large, slow-moving rodent native to the forests of Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. They have a distinctive coat of sharp quills.
