gemini://gemini.mingmengtou.org/2022-07-20-heyghoge.gmi

i almost killed a heyghoge by not considering the effect of trenching work for a new water service on local wildlife. i felt bad.

while laying a duct in a trench and back-filling i found a heyghoge that looked dead on it's side below a rainwater drain that crossed the trench. it moved slightly when i touched it; so not dead. it still had a slow ball response but was very weak, with closed eyes, and could have been dehydrated. the weather had been hot and dry for some days and i had no idea how long it had been trapped in the trench (750 mm deep).

i put the heyghoge in a shaded place in the garden and left some water and milk next to it. the next morning it was still there and still weak so i felt i needed to intervene to try and correct my mistake.

shuk-puk (yes it soon had a name - long story about that name) came inside and placed in a large plastic tub with water, milk (mistake of course due natural lactose intolerance obviously, duh!), and some high meat content cat snacks. it was still weak, not balling well, and ignoring food and water. shuk-puk eventually took a little water via teaspoon after wetting it's nose. the next morning shuk-puk was still alive and had taken some of the water, milk, and snacks.

over the next few days shuk-puk took more and more food and water. i also gave it some kefir as a lactose free milk like drink and lactose free cat milk. shuk-puk gained strength and moved better to the extent of re-arranging cardboard shelters overnight and eating and drinking everything that i gave it. i checked with the local animal shelter for advise about the noises that it made (i was concerned that it may have breathing difficulties, but not the case).

i have a hero 8 and this allowed me to video shuk-puk to see what it was up to when i was not around and monitor progress. when i was around shuk-puk generally hid or balled up so the only way to be sure of progress was videos.

when i thought that it was ready for release i moved shuk-puk to a downstairs bathroom and gave it the run of the room with a shelter, food and water. the videos revealed shuk-puk eating, drinking, active, and inquisitive. i judged shuk-puk well enough for release that evening. it was also smart enough to find a towel that i'd left on top of the shelter via behind the toilet and up on boxing. shuk-puk went under the towel, curled up and slept all day. i released shuk-puk that night.

my mistake with the open trench but hopefully i corrected it and shuk-puk is back to a normal heyghoge life. i intend to leave ramps in trenches in the future so that wildlife can get in and out as they need.

neil in gemini space

heyghoge - 2022-07-20