…you found a marten, weasel or polecat kit?
In short A healthy mustelid kit is not “lost” — the mother is nearby and will come back. Here the usual “rescue” is the harm.
Should you step in?
No, if the kit looks unhurt and calm. The female moves her kits one by one and can be away for hours.
When is help needed?
If there is blood or wounds, if the kit is cold, limp or fly-blown, if the mother is dead nearby, or a cat or dog is hunting it.
What you must never do
Do not take it home and do not feed it cow’s milk, porridge or vegetables — wrong feeding often kills mustelid kits. A hand-raised marten does not become a pet.
When to contact us
If any of the signs above are present, or you simply are not sure what you are looking at. Martens, weasels, polecats and pet ferrets are confused constantly — send a photo.
A real rescue
A marten tangled in anti-drone netting at the front: a complex surgery and a long recovery lay ahead.
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