Red squirrel attacks children's writer

[Still Waters]

A red squirrel called Elvis the Pelvis has attacked a children's writer who nursed him back to health

Ernie Gordon, one of Britain's leading authorities on squirrels was given a lesson in animal ingratitude when the injured creature savaged both his hands.

Mr Gordon, who has written a book about the animals, had to be taken to accident and emergency after the rescued squirrel sank its teeth into his right hand index finger, then his left hand thumb.

The 75-year-old was given a tetanus injection and a course of antibiotics. "You cannot believe the strength or pressure a little squirrel has in its jaw," he said.

Mr Gordon of Alnwick in Northumberland had been looking after six-month-old squirrel for several days, even building him a house in a lawnmower box, after being contacted by locals who had seen the limping creature.

The author of children's book The Adventures of Rusty Red Coat Volume 1 is well known for spending each day at the town's Hulne Park, studying and feeding the squirrels.

Because of the nature of the squirrel's injuries - a vet diagnosed him with a broken pelvis - the pensioner decided to call his new friend Elvis. The animal became aggitated when Mr Gordon tried handle him, showing his ferocious bite.

Since their fall out Elvis has moved out of the house to stay with a friend of Mr Gordon's in nearby Rennington, where he continues to be fed and nursed back to fitness.

The pensioner plans to gradually reintroduce him into the local woods in three to four weeks, before finally releasing him back into the wild.

Link

"Elvis the Pelvis"

[chaoszerg]

That's what you get when you try to handle a wild animal, it is nice that he nursed it back to health but you should never become attached and assume the creature is going to like you, even after all the nice things you have done for it.

[BiffSplitkins]

[little_dreamer]

For a dead guy, Elvis sure does need a shave...

[lordstanley]

WTF! If my pelvis was broken i would not want someone picking me up and investigating

what's going on with my broken body. I know this thread is old but i just wanted to read

it because of the name.

[S2F]

That's what you get when you try to handle a wild animal, it is nice that he nursed it back to health but you should never become attached and assume the creature is going to like you, even after all the nice things you have done for it.

I agree, the squirrel was most likely frightened and obviously hurt, that is when animals are the most unpredictable.

[brothers]

Send them to the U.S. we haven't seen a red squirrel in many years. At least I haven't here in the northeast. They look nicer than all the grey ones we have here. In exchange we will give you a lot of our greys for you to play with.