Farmer delivers ‘little miracle’ baby hare in emergency roadside Caesarean

A farmer has told of how he delivered a “little miracle” baby hare by an emergency roadside Caesarean.

An adult female hare was accidentally struck by machinery while farmer Robert Craig was carrying out silage operations in Dumfries and Galloway.

When he checked on the dead mother, he noticed that there was movement in her stomach and acted quickly to save the babies.

He performed an emergency Caesarean section with a pen knife, delivering two tiny leverets at the side of the road.

Bruno was underweight as a newborn (Scottish SPCA) Scottish SPCA

“I went to check what I had struck and sadly found the hare dead,” Mr Craig said.

“But then I saw her stomach move and knew instantly she was pregnant, and I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life.

He continued: “I carefully cut her open and saw the babies. I gave them a gentle swing to clear out any mucus, just like you would with newborn lambs.

“Then I started rubbing their bodies to try and get them breathing, and sure enough, they gasped and came around. So, I stopped working, got them warmed up and called the Scottish SPCA.”

One of the leverets did not survive, but the other, named Bruno by Scottish SPCA staff for his fighting spirit, is now gaining strength at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.

The Scottish SPCA said that Bruno is doing well (Scottish SPCA) Scottish SPCA

Animal Rescue Officer Emma Totney met Mr Craigh at Rigg near Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, on May 13 to collect the leverets.

“When I arrived, I was surprised by how alert and energetic the baby was,” she said.

“It was a huge relief. He was feeding well and already showing signs of real fight. He was smaller than we’d expect for a newborn, but clearly a fighter. He’s a little miracle.”

Bruno immediately began feeding well and “showing great energy”. Ms Totney took him back to the team at Fishcross as quick as she could.

“We stopped a couple of times on the journey for feeds, and each time he did brilliantly,” Ms Totney said.

“We were all amazed he had survived such a dramatic start to life. It’s heartwarming to know that thanks to a kind-hearted farmer, the wildlife centre team, and myself, this little miracle will get the chance to return to the wild and live a full life.”

When first admitted to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Bruno was very underweight at just 80g – well below the typical 100–130g birth weight for a newborn hare.

However, he has since grown significantly and now weighs more than nine times his original weight.

The team hope that Bruno will be ready for release into the wild in the coming weeks, provided his progress continues.

“When Bruno first arrived, he was 20g underweight and in a very fragile condition,” wildlife assistant Shauni Stoddart, who has been caring for Bruno, said.

“Due to his unique circumstances, he was hand-reared at home for the first five days to minimise stress. He responded incredibly well, quickly gaining strength.

“He’s a true little fighter. It’s been an emotional journey for everyone involved but seeing him grow stronger every day is so rewarding.”

The Scottish SPCA described Bruno’s birth as “very extraordinary”, but the charity said it would not recommend anyone performing this kind of surgery on any animal.