Rare albino baby squirrel that hurt her head gets finally rescued
In early January 2022, wildlife rehabilitators took in an extraordinarily rare patient: a tiny, snow-white albino baby squirrel found dazed, hypothermic, and suffering from head trauma after a dangerous fall from the canopy.
True albinism occurs in roughly 1 in every 100,000 eastern gray squirrels. Lacking melanin, they stand out sharply against tree bark and foliage, making them prime targets for raptors and outdoor predators from the moment they leave the drey. For a kit this small, surviving both a catastrophic drop and the winter cold was against all odds.
The Rescue & Initial Care
- Triage: The finder noticed the kit disoriented on the ground, unable to balance, and showing clear symptoms of a concussion.
- Stabilization: Local wildlife rescuers stepped in immediately, keeping her warm in an incubator, administering fluids to combat dehydration, and managing intracranial swelling.
- Rehabilitation: With round-the-clock syringe feedings, anti-inflammatory medication, and quiet monitoring to let her neurological symptoms settle, the little fighter began to regain coordination and strength.
If you ever encounter an injured wild animal or a baby squirrel that has fallen from a nest:Do not attempt to feed it liquids or cow’s milk (aspiration pneumonia is fatal to kits).Keep the animal in a warm, dark, well-ventilated box lined with a fleece blanket.Contact a licensed local wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue center immediately.
