Flying Squirrels Rescued after their Home was set on Fire

Yesterday evening some concern locals brought in a pair of grey-cheeked flying squirrels (Hylopetes lepidus) into the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre for emergency treatment. They had been found on the floor under a burning tree after it had been set on fire by a farmer who was clearing an area of land to create more space to grow his produce. Human-wildlife conflict doesn’t only occur with mega fauna such as elephants, it affects many of the earths species. Having been almost burned alive in their home these shy tree-dwelling nocturnal rodents fell to the ground, they sustained many burns over their small bodies. Much of the fur has been damaged by the fire, their little hands and feet are badly burned, and their eyelashes have been totally singed off. The WFFT Vet Team have cleaned and treated the burns, they are now being cared for in the WFFT Wildlife Hospital. Unfortunately for these little ones it means they have been displaced, and are now homeless, if they mange to survive this ordeal we will need to find a suitable environment, far away from humans to release them. We will do everything we can to help these little souls recover. If they pull through they will be taken to a safe protected forest area.