Animal lover gives baby squirrels new lease on life

ADIYAMAN, Turkey

After barely escaping the ax, four young orphaned squirrels are getting a new lease on life from an animal lover who is feeding them and preparing to re-wild them.

Isa Acar, who is engaged in the wood trade in Adiyaman, southeastern Turkey, was sawing at a tree one day when he stopped, surprised to notice that there was a tiny squirrel back in a tree hollow.

Seeing that there were in fact four baby squirrels in the hollow, orphaned and needing care, Acar took them to Mahmut Coban, also known as "Birdman Mahmut," a local known for taking care of needy animals.

Coban started to feed the four exhausted squirrels using a baby bottle.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Coban said that when the squirrel kits – as young squirrels are known – were brought to him, they were clearly both hungry and thirsty.

"It gives me great pleasure to look after these baby squirrels. I’ve raised a lot of squirrels and then reintroduced them back to nature," he said.

Coban said that he most willingly takes care of stray and needy animals, adding that saving a living thing for him is the best feeling in the world.

Meanwhile, the baby squirrels became the talk of the town, attracting locals who want to catch a glance at the young, bushy-tailed mammals.