Released baby found dead in RC this a.m....

[SugarHill]

We had a pretty chilly night last night, in the 40's- I closed up the RC after dark as usual, and saw some faces peeking out from the nest boxes, as usual. I also noticed there was still a little food in the feed bin...
This morning, there was a poor girl, laying in the middle of the floor, dead. There wasn't a scratch on her. I don't think she froze to death- afterall, she must have been in one of the boxes when I closed up last night. There was even an unused box with plenty of bedding in it.
The food was gone this morning, but somebody else could have eaten it before I went down there this morning.
I can't say for sure when she was released (I've released so many groups already) but she was larger than most of the more recent releases, so I'm guessing she was one of the early ones.
She wasn't overly thin...There was plenty of water, food etc. in the RC...
I just don't know what happened to her, and I wonder if I could have done something differently?

[SammysMom]

Godspeed precious girl...:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

I am so sorry to here of such a sad loss...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

Did you go over her body carefully to see if there might have been an old injury that happened days ago? How old would she likely be now and how long ago would she have been released? What was in the RC that she might have eaten?

[Rhapsody]

I am sorry for your loss..... (((hugs))).
I have been where you are today, wondering if I could have done something differently, but in all honesty we did the best we could being human foster parents to squirrels.

[SugarHill]

thank you; yes I know I can only do so much. It's so hard to find them dead after raising them from just a tiny squee...She was one of several I released about three weeks ago. I had opened the door for them and they were coming and going as they pleased...her siblings were still in the RC. I thought perhaps she had been kicked out for some reason, but there are multiple boxes in that side of the RC and she could have easily used one of the others.
I didn;t see any injuries...didn't feel any breaks etc.
I just hate picking up a dead baby...it's hard not to feel like an utter failure. It's just been such a tough season for me.

[redwuff]

So sorry to read about your baby. :grouphugThe worst part is not knowing what happened.

Trysh

[lukaslolamaus]

I'm so sorry :hug
R.I.P. precious little girl :Love_Icon :sad

[DaSquirrelMom]

I'm very sorry about your squirrel. ((hugs))

Last summer, I read a study on the survival rate of previously-captive, released red squirrels. The squirrels that didn't survive (and could be found) were autopsied. Some were found deceased without trauma from predators. All of the previously-captive, deceased red squirrels had hypertrophied adrenals.

[TubeDriver]

:grouphug

Don't feel like you let her down. You saved her and raised her and gave her the freedom in the trees that she was born to have. Life is not fair and there are no guarantees, it was just not meant to be in her case. :(

My guess is that something happened to her out there, maybe she ate something (toxin or poison) and she knew she was fading so she returned to the place that she remembered had love and safety.

Gods Speed little one.

:grouphug

[cava]

I'm sorry for your loss. I agree, something was wrong and she came HOME. Take comfort in the fact that she was safe when she made her journey. :Love_Icon

[BamaHam]

Sorry for your loss. It hurts to lose one. You did everything right. Unfortunately when you once let them out of the cage they can get into anything. She could have found something to eat that made her sick. Its hard to know or find out. Check surroundings of cage. Kind of watch where they go. I hope others do ok. :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[TerriCompro]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of one of your babies. Bless you and bless that baby. Godspeed, little one.

:sniff

[kcassidy]

I'm very sorry about your squirrel. ((hugs))

Last summer, I read a study on the survival rate of previously-captive, released red squirrels. The squirrels that didn't survive (and could be found) were autopsied. Some were found deceased without trauma from predators. All of the previously-captive, deceased red squirrels had hypertrophied adrenals.


If this is the one you are referring to, I can only find a summary. Do you have the whole article and what are they actually saying?

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-zoology/article/red-squirrels-sciurus-vulgaris-released-in-conifer-woodland-the-effects-of-source-habitat-predation-and-interactions-with-grey-squirrels-sciurus-carolinensis/F4761D6D1453CC1C4A06C4F1078577B9

I know that Adrenal glands are used more by wildlife than are human version and it is usually called upon during emergencies/stress. I would think squirrels would use them a LOT. :)

I have released 7 Reds from my house this spring and I have seen at least 5 at a time around the house and they all look fat and sassy. Very Sassy, btw :)

Of course I've got seed and water out all year round so that does make a difference. Just throwing that out there but I'm curious what point you are making (that is not said nasty at all) I'm just not sure the right words to use - maybe can you elaborate on your post :)

Either way, this totally sucks and I'm so sorry. The best way to get an answer is to have an autopsy done, would your vet do it for you?

[island rehabber]

I have been there, too -- a few seasons ago I found a recent release of mine dead in the RC, right below the portal as if she had tumbled in with her last breath. She was perfect as far as I could see and feel. I never knew what the hell happened, but it haunts me. As everyone has said so eloquently already, we can only do our best, and we can only do so much. :grouphug