Do you ever wonder what happens to wild animals, especially baby animals, when natural disasters strike? While we humans often have time to prepare and evacuate, wild animals are left to their own devices. Sadly, infants and young animals often succumb to an early death in the face of tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires.
But this was not the case with Jill, the rescued squirrel who’s now a celebrity.
Jill The Rescued Squirrel
In late August 2012, Hurricane Isaac touched down across the Antilles and the southeast United States, causing devastating damage to Haiti, in particular. Dozens of people and countless animals were killed during this powerful storm. However, when one woman noticed a struggling little rodent, she took her into safety, where the rescued squirrel settled in to warm blankets and stole her heart. (1, 3)
Jill the Squirrel is not a typical wild squirrel. While most rodents would prefer to be undomesticated and free, Jill has opted to stay with her adoptive human mom. Her human soon realized this quirky little animal loved to give and receive affection – a lot of affection. She started nesting in her human’s lap, asking to be pet, and eating out of her hands. In fact, this sweet creature behaved similar to a cat, even making a purring sound when being cuddled. (3)
This rescued squirrel was so extraordinarily affectionate and playful, that her human started posting pictures and videos of her on Instagram, where she quickly attracted worldwide attention. Images of Jill snuggling, eating, climbing, sleeping, playing, and crawling have captivated more than 680,000 people. Now a rodent celebrity model, Jill hasn’t let the attention go to her head. Seven years into her life as a domestic pet, and she still enjoys her favorite activity – rolling up napkins, stuffing them in her mouth, and making them into nests. (3)
Why Animals Become Famous
Jill The Squirrel’s popularity spans continents and cultures. It makes you wonder, in a world where humans don’t agree on much, why do so many of us – hundreds of thousands of us, no less – connect over our love of animals?
It’s because Jill The Squirrel, and so many creatures like her, help us in countless ways. They distract us from our stressors, remind us to lighten up, and make us laugh. Their innocence and cuteness prompt us to recall what’s really important in life: joy. On some level, watching animals, like Jill The Squirrel, connects us to wildness and authenticity. After all, animals don’t worry about image or pride. They simply are who they are, and when we witness such natural sweetness, they put our image-centered egos at ease, even if for just a moment.
The Right Thing To Do
When there’s a dangerous storm on its way, or if you stumble upon an injured animal, taking them home and trying to tame them is not the best option; most wild animals are not happy as pets, nor are they trainable. On the other hand, leaving an animal to suffer or die isn’t the right thing to do either.
If you stumble upon an injured creature, call your local wildlife rehabilitator. If you can’t find a wildlife rehabilitator nearby, call local vets’ offices, who may be able to direct you to the right place. (2)
Was keeping Jill The Squirrel the right thing to do? That’s up for debate. No matter how you view it, though, there is no debating that Jill is loved by many.
