A baby red squirrel is being hand-reared by a Highland woman who has been rescuing animals in distress for more than 60 years.
The tiny creature – named Harry after the ginger-haired prince – was discovered lying in the grass on an estate in the Invergarry area of Lochaber.
Anne Ferguson, 76, of Spean Bridge, was asked if she could help and she was delighted to take him in. And the little creature has already made a friend in his new home – Mrs Ferguson’s Ragdoll cat, called Tilly.
Under close supervision, Tilly has been licking her new housemate and allowing him to curl up next to her.
Mrs Ferguson, who works with the SSPCA and the local vet, admitted that fostering a baby red squirrel had been on her “bucket list” for as long as she could recall.
And she is enjoying looking after Harry and feeding him kitten milk with a syringe, even it if means getting up at 5.30am for his first feed of the day.
Mrs Ferguson, who started Ferguson Transport in 1959 with her husband Archie, said: “I grew up on a farm and have looked after injured birds and animals most of my life.
“I’ve had everything I can think of over the years and it’s exciting.
“But this wee red squirrel is special. When I was about 12, I rescued a pet grey squirrel and took it to school and then to college in my pocket.
“I’d always wanted a red squirrel and it had never happened – until now.
“When I got the call about Harry I just couldn’t believe it. I was so excited”
She collected him earlier this week and he has been with her ever since.
Mrs Ferguson said she thought he was probably about four weeks old.
She added: “The lady who called me found him in the grass and there’s no way he could have got there on his own.
“He was probably dropped by a crow or something, but I don’t think he’s injured.
“If she hadn’t found him, he would have died or been taken by another bird or animal.”
Thankfully, Harry survived and is being given plenty of tender loving care by Mrs Ferguson and Tilly.
She said: “He sleeps most of the time at the moment, but he is very lively when he wakes up.
“When he’s older, Harry will eventually be allowed out and will be able to go where he wants.
“And, if he ever wants to come back for a feed, the window will always be open for him.”
