Rescuing Baby Stoats Ready For Life in the Wild | Rescued & Returned to the Wild | Robert E Fuller

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This film follows the journey of three baby stoats as they move from my care to a life in the wild.

*JOIN MY MISSION*
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*ABOUT THIS FILM*
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Stoats

These mammals are part of the weasel family and can be found in every continent except Antarctica. In the US stoats are known as short-tailed weasels.

Stoats in the wild

I’ve long been fascinated by stoats and have devoted the last 10 years to documenting their behaviour. With hidden cameras, I was the first to film wild stoats inside the nest capturing unique moments of courtship.

Stoat babies dropped

Stoats have litters of between six and 12 kits. As they grow, females move them between sites. Unfortunately kits can get lost in the move.

Rescue story

When a four week old young female is handed to me her eyes are only just opening and she is small for her age. She is warm, which is a good sign, but hungry.

First meal

Baby stoats can eat solid food at only 2 weeks old and this one quickly demolishes all but the bone of a chicken wing. When I pinch her skin, it doesn’t fold back into place - a sign she’s dehydrated. I carefully feed her puppy milk formula then weigh her (she’s 51g) and let her sleep.

Caring for baby stoat

This tiny stoat needs feeding 10 times a day, so I take her everywhere with me - it gets tricky when I'm syringe feeding in my hide and a kingfisher I want to film arrives!

Growing fast

By 5 weeks she has gained 38g. Since she’s putting on weight so fast, I name her Rocket.

A new home

A wild stoat would be exploring just beyond the nest at this age, so I move her to a bigger enclosure where she will have more space and room to exercise. Her leg seems stiff so I think she needs it.

A stoat friend

Two weeks later another rescued stoat is handed in. I get a separate enclosure ready, right next to Rocket where they can get to know each other. Stoat kits belong in big litters and so it's really important for them to be with other youngsters.

A dynamic duo

The following day I put them in with each other. After a lot of squeaking they are soon chasing one another playfully. I remain on hand in case it doesn’t work.

Third stoat

Days before they’re due to move, another stoat is handed in. This one is wild and frightened but I am confident it will be comfortable with other stoats and sure enough the three settle down quickly.

Stoats go outside

It’s time to get this trio outside. I have an outdoor enclosure designed especially for release, but, it’s been a year since I’ve had stoats in there so I need to top up the pond and put some fresh straw in for them. The enclosure is rigged with cameras, so I can capture footage of them exploring.

Soft release

This enclosure has a secret hatch leading to an underground chamber I built for a family of rescued badgers a few years ago. The badgers have since moved on, so it’s the perfect place for the stoats to explore. And at the end of a network of tunnels, there's a doorway opening to the great outdoors.

Into the wild

After a week, and a total of three months in my care, the stoat kits are ready for life in the wild. I open the grills and one by one they make their way into my garden. Over the following few weeks I spot them exploring, but they continue to sleep at the enclosure.

*ABOUT ME*
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.

You can also follow me on these platforms:

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© Robert E Fuller

#robertefuller #weasel #stoats #rescuedandreturned #wildliferehabilitation
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I hope you've enjoyed the video!

Follow me: Facebook - bit.ly/43LiisV | Twitter - bit.ly/43yuiO9 | Instagram - bit.ly/3XV7rLA | TikTok - bit.ly/3XUnEAJ

RobertEFuller
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My heart was warmed by seeing this little family of three lost kits reaching independence due to the care Robert has given them.

Vavala
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Robert, I'm 83 and want to let you know that your videos are so entertaining and full of joy in this messed up world. Thank you for sharing your kindness with animals, I sincerely appreciate you.

richardblake
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this man is so compassionate and going beyond his limits to help the animals

theearnikagarwal
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Robert thank you for introducing me to stoats and these adorable babies! Your work is wonderful ❤❤❤

ellenl
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This was like a children's bedtime story, complete with illustrations! Simply beautiful, thank you❤️

missleader
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How adorable stoats are! Thank you so much for putting in the time & effort to rescue such cute little critters & film them for us!

freedomfighter
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Your impact on wildlife is very admirable! Thank you for all the shared experiences. They are very relaxing!

lizzydog
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He has a wonderful life, watching stoats and owls, hand feeding badgers and he is a talented artist. His life is richer than any billionaire.

elaineglendinning
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This is incredible footage. To see stoats like this is a privilege. Can't imagine how wonderful it must be for you, to have such a bond with them

noodles
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I admire the work that you do. You may be saving an entire species without ever knowing it. I would be out and about as you do every day.

SuperZytoon
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Thanks for showing us the whole process and how you get them used to the wild again. I love how much work went into planning and building the different enclosures.

henningratjen
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Thank you for what you are doing, helping the little ones rehabilitate and go back to the wild ❤

jocelynaccetta
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we really need a animated movie about Robert and his merry band of Stoats, Owl's and Badgers going on adventures, solving crime and getting up to hijinks.

davidrenton
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They are so cute. Thank you for taking care of them when they needed it.

suzannehall
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What patience and capacity for caring this lovely man has. It is so beautiful to see. I'm humbled by this kind of dedicated love. A beautiful video. Thanks for this from an 80 year old great grandmother in Montana.

marjoriegarner
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Wonderful to watch! Thanks for all you do for them and other animals! ❤️❤️❤️

AE-sebl
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Thanks you SO MUCH, @Robert, for your stunning video diaries of wild life from the BEAUTIFUL British countryside. Amazing work and much appreciated by this city dweller !!!

forearthbelow
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What a lovely video helping the stoats to gain strength and be released back into the wild. You have a heart of gold

helenlawrence
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Merveilleuse histoire d'hermines à qui vous avez donné l'autonomie et la liberté, merci !

mcbabs