Drowning baby stoat is resuscitated

A BABY stoat was resuscitated by a member of the public after nearly drowning in a water butt.

A BABY stoat was resuscitated by a member of the public after nearly drowning in a water butt.

A water company worker discovered the stoat and his mate struggling to survive in the water in Marham, Norfolk on May 29.

One of the tiny animals, known as kits, was barely alive and the worker managed to give it a heart massage and breathe into its face to revive it.

The stoats were then taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre where they are being cared for.

Both four-week-old kits were suffering from dehydration and were in shock. The stoat which nearly drowned was also suffering from hypothermia.

Staff at the centre worked to get them warm and give them fluids and it is thought both will shortly be ready for release.

Alison Charles, RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre manager, said: “When the stoats came in they were lethargic and weak, so I am very pleased that they are well on the way to recovery now.

“Although we would not recommend someone trying to do CPR on a wild animal, their rescuer saved them from almost certain death and did a great job of helping them to survive.

“Both of the kits are very active now and we will release them on a site where the landowner will keep an eye on them for us and make sure they can survive, as they are still very young to be away from their mother.”