Farmer rescues baby hare by performing roadside C-section
Robert Craig accidentally struck the adult female hare with machinery on May 13 while carrying out silage operations in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
When he checked on the dead mother, he noticed there was movement in her stomach and realised it was pregnant. Knowing he needed to act quickly, he saved the leverets on the side of the road by performing an emergency C-section with a pen knife.
Mr Craig said: 'I went to check what I had struck and sadly found the hare dead. But then 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.
'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. So, I stopped working, got them warmed up and called the Scottish SPCA [Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals].'
While one of the baby hares did not survive, the other, named Bruno by Scottish SPCA staff for his fighting spirit, is now gaining strength at the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.
Emma Totney, an animal rescue officer who went to the scene, said: 'When I arrived, 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.'
Ms Totney added: 'It's heartwarming to know that thanks to a kindhearted 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 first admitted to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Bruno was very underweight at just 80g (2oz) – well below the typical 100-130g (3.5-4.5oz) weight for a newborn hare. However, Bruno now weighs more than nine times his original weight.
The team hope that Bruno will be ready for release into the wild in the coming weeks, provided its progress continues.
The Scottish SPCA described Bruno's birth as 'very extraordinary', and the charity said it would not recommend anyone performing this kind of surgery on any animal.
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