A family of squirrel siblings were rescued and brought back to health by a group of generous local volunteers. — Photos courtesy of Jess Reese

By Jess Reese
Salem Wildlife Rescue

Last week, I took in two baby squirrels from Somerville. Mom was gone so the babies fell out of the nest looking for help. They were dehydrated, had bugs on them, a bit of blood on their faces, and were in obvious need of help. Many adult dead squirrels have been seen due to it being a high-traffic area.

Local resources were unable to help them, so the caring neighbors, with the help of the local community FB page, banded together to get them the help they needed. They have been safe and happy with me ever since.

Now fast forward to yesterday afternoon. The residents were advised that there could be siblings and to be on the lookout. Unfortunately, yesterday one was found deceased, but two more were now on the sidewalk. Someone else had called me by recommendation of the group and in the time it took her to quickly grab a box, one had escaped. As of now, one of the brothers is here! He came in worse off than the other two, as expected being an extra 24 hours without care. This morning after heat, fluids, and care, he has perked back up and has reunited with two of his siblings who excitedly welcomed him back.

As of now, the other sibling is still missing and could have gone back up into the nest visible from the tree on the sidewalk. I don’t have a ladder to have looked up there myself last night, but it is low in the tree.

Somerville residents, please keep an eye out for the missing baby! The tree is by the intersection of Summer Street and Carter Terrace. Last night I swung by with no luck, but I left a note taped to the tree about the situation and with my contact info in hopes that if the baby is found, he/she can get immediate help. I hope the last baby can be found and can join his family.

THANK YOU to the amazing Somerville residents who cared for these babies to get them the proper assistance they needed! Even better, the residents didn’t try to feed them themselves (which would make them even worse off), so these babies had an even better chance! Thank you to everyone involved who cared and gave them a second chance. I will never stop being impressed by people like this! These babies are alive thanks to this amazing community!

Edit: THE LAST BABY HAS BEEN LOCATED! Trying to figure out transport as I’m working and the finder has to leave for work soon, but THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND!