SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
London: Six sugar gliders discovered dumped outside a supermarket in Scotland have captured the hearts of British lovers, after health checks revealed two of the females are carrying joeys in their pouches.
The small marsupials, native to Australia and Papua New Guinea and likely to be exotic pets, were found abandoned in a box outside a Lidl supermarket in West Calder, about 24 km west of Edinburgh, in February.
A Scottish zoo says two of the six sugar gliders they took in after they were left abandoned in a box outside of a supermarket last month are pregnant.Credit: Five Sisters Zoo
The nocturnal, tree-dwelling animals — four females and two males — were handed in to Scottish Police. The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) then relocated them to Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, a rescue facility renowned for taking in exotic animals.
They were originally reported to be “not in a particularly poor condition”, but rescuers said as a tropical species left to fend for themselves in the harsh Scottish winter, they did not have the best chance of survival.
The zoo said on Friday they had since undergone a full health check and sexing, microchipping, and a careful evaluation of their overall condition by Dr Romain Pizzi, a specialist wildlife vet. Two of the females were discovered to be carrying developing young in their pouches.
The zoo daid the gliders had been found “cruelly discarded” and were “vulnerable and exposed to the elements”.Credit: Five Sisters Zoo
“The stress and exposure to the cold during their abandonment could have posed serious risks to both the babies and their mothers,” said a zoo spokeswoman. “We’re monitoring the situation closely, but it’s still too early to determine the full impact on the young.
“As they near the end of their 30-day quarantine, our team continues to work hard to ensure their safety and well-being.”
She said they would be provided with the specialised care they need before hopefully being moved into a new habitat where they will be on show for visitors. The zoo said it would provide regular updates on the gliders’ progress via social media, offering the public a glimpse into their rehabilitation journey.
The gliders’ plight underscores a growing issue of exotic pets being abandoned by owners who can no longer care for them, a trend that has alarmed British animal welfare groups.
Vets are hopeful the gliders will survive despite being left outside during the Scottish winter.Credit: Five Sisters Zoo
They have become increasingly popular as a pet, particularly in the US and the UK, were there a growing number of licensed breeders. Described as “curious, playful and affectionate”, owners are encouraged to home more than one glider as they are regarded social animals. Pairs can sell for up to £950 ($2025) and can live for anywhere between 12–14 years.
The Five Sisters Zoo has been home to various rescued creatures – including bears and lions saved from circuses and war zones. As the zoo continues to provide care, animal welfare advocates are calling for greater awareness about the responsibility of owning non-native pets.
This latest rescue adds to a growing list of unusual animal encounters in Scotland. Earlier this year, four lynx were captured after roaming freely in the Highlands. Last year, a Japanese macaque made headlines after escaping from the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, only to be found by a resident in her garden.
