One of Britain’s rarest mammals has been found in a bin by someone who thought it was a fox.
The tiny pine marten kit – dubbed Martin – is now being cared for at a rescue centre after he was discovered in a rubbish container alongside two dead siblings.
It’s unknown how they got there.
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Martin weighed just 3.5oz – less than half a cup of sugar – when he was found and is also blind and deaf.
The creature was taken from Powys, Wales, by a hedgehog carer who believed he might be a fox cub, to Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Tewkesbury, Glos.
Martin, named after the first person at the centre to spot his true identity, is the first pine marten rescue in the centre’s 42-year history, as reported by Whats The Jam.
He was found in the bin on 19 April.
Natalie Gould, of Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, said: “It was a truly special admission for all of us.
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“We’ve never had one before.
“Pine martens were once widespread across the UK but suffered huge declines due to habitat loss and persecution.
“Populations are slowly recovering in some areas, with this kit’s admission a sign of that.
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“This young kit has been on quite a journey already having been passed between four different people and locations before reaching us.
“He was brought to us by a hedgehog carer believing he might be a fox cub which, given his size, is an easy mistake to make.
“We couldn’t believe our eyes when we realised he was something much rarer.
“Now in the care of one of our experienced hand-rearing team members, he will stay with us until he’s weaned and we gradually become more hands-off to ensure he doesn’t become imprinted – giving him the best possible chance at life back in the wild.
“He’ll remain with us until late August.
“At that point, we’ll work with other organisations to find a safe and suitable release site for him.”
She added the little animal was adorable but very loud.
“His eyes and ears are still closed at the moment, he is blind and deaf, up until about five weeks of age.
“We guess he is around the two weeks mark at the moment, but sadly we don’t know for certain.
“We don’t know why he was in a bin – it’s not a normal place for a mum to nest – it’s usually high up in trees.”
The team aim to re-introduce Martin to his natural habitat in Wales.
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