Nobody knows what happened to seven-week-old squirrel kitten Jill but everyone is nuts about her.
She was spotted on a pathway to the Beacon in Penrith looking far from bright-eyed and bushy tailed.
With a sore front paw, injured back leg and in need of hydration, it is unclear whether the youngster fell out of her drey or suffered injuries from being attacked by a crow.
The find was reported to the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group — a registered charity on the frontline of protecting the endangered species.
Jill Pettigrew, a trustee and volunteer, found her in the undergrowth and got her into care of vets Frame, Swift and Partners.
After a two-night stay — the tiny arrival named after her finder — is now being nursed back to health by fellow trustee Jerry Moss and partner Sarah McNeil, who live near Hackthorpe.
Jerry, who has been involved in the group for nearly 20 years, and volunteer Sarah, are keeping vital records of Jill’s progress to help in the care of other endangered reds.
Jill is growing up alongside two other young rescues, Katie, found by a road at Glenridding, and Rio, found by the River Eden in Appleby.
For now, Jill needs feeds every three to four hours with Royal Canin Puppy Replacement Milk.
Jill has been squeaking her approval as well as expanding her diet to nuts and carrots. The plan is to get them back on their feet and then gradually step back from hands-on care as part of the acclimatisation process.
They will then be set free at a special release site — supported by nest boxes and supplementary feeders — to help adjust to the wild.
Jerry said: “We would rather them be with their mothers in the wild but without this intervention they would have died.”
