Can a three leg squirrel survive in the wild?

[ClemC5]

Looking for opinions, I have a three leg squirrel that I was given to rehab this summer and despite losing his front right leg to a rat trap he has done great! He is very mobile, animated and seems to get along just fine. He got away from me the other day and it took my son and I well over an hour to catch him. My question is as he approaches release size and weight is he releasable? Has anyone had any dealings with a situation like this?

[Spanky]

I have had only 1 personal experience with a 3 legged squirrel; actually this one was missing a rear foot. He was about 5 weeks old when he was found.

The original finder took care of him for several weeks and was sure he was releasable so I was asked take him to integrate with another group of squirrels I had around the same age, believing he'd do better being releases with a group. Well, cut to the chase.. when the original finder was able to compare him to other 4 legged squirrels... even a little younger than he was.. she quickly realized in comparison how compromised her little one really was. He was noticeably slower, could not leap as far and his climbing was great, but not great enough. Even so I am sure I would have had a hard time trying to catch him.

He was not released and is a very happy, personable little guy.

[stepnstone]

I have a 3 legged missing a rear leg, since the rear legs are needed to propel themselves release was definitely
out of the question as far as I was concerned. I have heard missing a front leg can be releasable, not sure I would
do it as I've not had to deal with that situation to make that call. I probably wouldn't as it's hard enough for these
little's out there without being compromised.