Report on Rescued Squirrels – Summer 2025

Summer 2025 was a special season – filled with challenges, emotions, and small miracles.
Eight rescued squirrels passed through our hands, each with its own story of struggle, courage, and return to life. Some have already gone back to the forest, while others are still undergoing rehabilitation – but each of them left a mark in the hearts of everyone who took part in their rescue.

.🧡 Roko – a little Poreč resident from Dalmatia

The first to arrive, at the beginning of June, was Roko – a lively little squirrel about three months old. He and his mother, Cicibela, were poisoned, but both were saved by Anamaria Okrst Melvan from Kaštel Stari, a volunteer of AWAP – Association for the Protection of Wild Animals, led by Dr. Ingeborg Bata.
Unfortunately, Cicibela didn’t survive, but Anamaria lovingly hand-raised Roko and sent him to us – where he became the newest resident of Poreč. After recovering and adapting, Roko was released into the small forest behind the Health Center. Today, he freely runs through the branches he chose as his home.

❤️ Gigi – a miracle of will

Gigi arrived on July 29th, only two months old and still on milk. He was found in Galijot, Plava Laguna – he had fallen from a tree onto concrete and survived only thanks to his incredible will to live.
He had a broken snout, a shadow on his lungs indicating internal bleeding, and paralysis of his legs and tail with a complete loss of sensation. Instead of putting him down, we decided to give him a chance – since his spine, despite everything, was not broken.

After four days of therapy at the veterinary hospital, his recovery was in my hands. With much love, care, and daily exercises, Gigi slowly began to bring life back into his little body.
At first, he couldn’t move at all – he would only sleep in the warmth of my hands. After two to three weeks of intensive therapy, he began to move his tail, then his right leg, and finally the left one. Day by day, Gigi progressed – quietly, but persistently.
Although he still doesn’t use his legs as healthy squirrels do, Gigi now lives in the rehabilitation enclosure in Poreč, learning to climb and jump again, gazing at the treetops that patiently await him. 🌿

🐿️🐿️ Chimp i Chump – the story of a brother and sister

At the beginning of August, on August 5th, two tiny babies arrived – brother and sister, weighing only 18 grams, their eyes still closed, about two weeks old.
They were rescued by German tourists in Koversada near Vrsar, who also gave them their names.
Days without their mother, extreme heat, and dehydration brought them to the brink of death – they were severely undernourished and weak. We did everything we could, but little Chimp didn’t make it – on August 21st, his fragile body gave up.
His sister Chump mourned him for a long time, but later found comfort in the company of her two adopted brothers, Zig and Zag.

🧡 Maya Ginger – our old furry friend

Our dear Maya Ginger, a well-known resident of Vjeveršuma in Galijot, once again needed help.
On August 9th, she was found exhausted and motionless. We took her to the Veterinary Hospital in Poreč, where she received treatment and spent six days with us – eating, sleeping, and regaining her strength.
Once she recovered, we returned her to her forest home, where she lived peacefully for another month and a half before passing away.
Maya Ginger had been with us for almost five years – her gentleness and presence will forever remain a part of our memories.

🤍 Zig i Zag – brothers by heart

On August 13th, little Zig was rescued by tourists near Istarska Hiža in Plava Laguna. Like the others, he had fallen from his nest after losing his mother. Chimp and Chump quickly accepted him – they became inseparable.
Three days later, on August 16th, Zag arrived – the last little squirrel of the summer. He was the smallest and weakest, but Chimp was the first to accept him, and they soon began sleeping curled up together.
After Chimp’s death, Zag grieved deeply and became ill, but with care and antibiotics, he recovered completely.
Zig and Zag received their names from the loyal followers of Porečke vjeverice on Facebook.

.🌿 A New Home in the Forest

At the end of September, on September 23rd, Chump, Zig, and Zag were moved into the large outdoor enclosure in the forest behind the Health Center in Poreč.
There they are learning everything they will need for independent life in nature – climbing, hiding, building nests, gathering food, and recognizing the sounds of the forest. When the time is right, they will be released into the wild.

In early October, Gigi joined them, continuing his rehabilitation. Soon he will share the winter with Ela – a female squirrel rescued in Makarska by Anamaria Okrst Melvan, an AWAP volunteer.
Ela was severely injured by a cat that broke her paw and leg. She was on the brink of death but miraculously survived. Her leg healed completely, but the paw did not, which makes her, like Gigi, partially disabled.
Gigi and Ela will spend the winter together in the enclosure, undergoing rehabilitation until spring, when it will become clear what kind of future awaits them – full recovery and release, or life in permanent care. 🐿️💚

🌸 Acknowledgements

Our deepest gratitude goes to everyone who helped make these stories possible.
We thank Valamar Riviera for assisting in acquiring the enclosure, and the City of Poreč and its Mayor Loris Peršurić for their support and personal involvement in its installation.
Thanks also to Hrvatske šume (Croatian Forests) for providing branches for the enclosure, Irena Matošević (Plan Terra Garden Center) for the donated pine tree, Zoran Fabris and D.O.N.I.S. sawmill from Danijeli for the wood shavings, Marko Jugovac (Jugovac Carpentry) for the help with construction, and Oleg Cukrov (TXT reklame) for creating the informational boards.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Veterinary Hospital Poreč, always there when help is needed – especially in the treatment of our Gigi.
Special thanks also to Marko Fabris, Director of Hotel Galijot, who consistently contacts us whenever a squirrel is in trouble and always supports our work. 💚🐿️

💚 The People Behind the Scenes

Throughout the summer, care for abandoned babies and injured squirrels was provided by Conny Peto Đeneš, AWAP volunteer for Istria and project leader of “Lend a Hand to Nature”.
Draženko Požarić took care of the squirrel and bird feeders and water stations, assisted by volunteers who selflessly gave their time.
Their dedication and love for animals are not always visible in photos – but they are woven into every little heart that began to beat again.

.🌳 Looking Ahead

This summer, eight squirrels were rescued. Two have already returned to nature, three are preparing for release, two remain in care due to disability, and one sadly passed away.
In spring, the project will move to Pical, where Valamar Riviera will build a larger rehabilitation enclosure – the first step toward bringing these magical creatures back to an area where they once thrived, but have since disappeared.

We thank all citizens, tourists, and friends of nature for their continuous support.
Every drop of compassion, every message of encouragement, and every helping hand makes a difference.

Because every rescued squirrel – is a story of life given a second chance. 🐿️💚