A baby squirrel that fell from its nest and was injured in Düzce has regained its health under expert care at the Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Directorate.
About a month ago, an animal lover in Saçmalıpınar village of Gölyaka district noticed the injured squirrel, which had fallen from its tree nest, and informed the Düzce Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Directorate.The squirrel was taken by the team that arrived at the scene and brought to the rehabilitation center affiliated with the directorate.
Placed in a specially prepared area, the baby squirrel was named "Afacan" (meaning "Mischievous"). Veterinarians Murat Ünlü and Zeynep Hızal took over its care, initially feeding it with a bottle. Thanks to the treatment provided, its wounds on its legs and head healed, and its feeding routine became more regular.
"Afacan" will be released back into the wild after completing its treatment and rehabilitation process.
Veterinarian Zeynep Hızal said that the baby squirrel underwent an initial examination when it was brought to the center. She noted that the animal is a species of "Anatolian squirrel" and added:
"It came to us as a very small baby. We have been treating it for a month. When it arrived, it was weak, exhausted, and had no appetite. We continued its care, and during this time, it has both healed and completed its growth process."
Hızal also stated that the squirrel has now acquired essential survival behaviors such as opening and eating shelled foods and defending itself.
"It has also developed the ability to store food in line with its growth. Its development during the care process went very well, and it is now two months old. We will release it back into the wild at the spot where we found it," she explained.
Hızal urged people who find animals in the wild to first observe their condition.
"If the animal shows signs of weakness, loss of appetite, or has open wounds, they should definitely contact us. Our job is to help them recover quickly and release them back into the wild. With this awareness, we take great care of them and strive to expedite the recovery process," she said.
