Farmer performs C-section on dead hare to deliver baby

A farmer in Dumfries and Galloway has been hailed for his quick thinking after performing an emergency roadside caesarean on a dead hare, which saved the life of one of its unborn babies.

- LUCINDA CAMERON

The dramatic rescue unfolded when Robert Craig, who was carrying out silage operations, accidentally struck an adult female hare with his machinery. Upon checking the animal, Mr Craig discovered she was deceased but noticed movement in her stomach and realised she was pregnant. “I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life,” he said.

Mr Craig used a penknife to perform an emergency C-section at the side of the road. The extraordinary intervention led to the successful delivery of two tiny leverets, one of which survived and has since been described as a “little miracle”. Mr Craig said he “carefully” cut open the hare’s stomach and took out the babies.

“I gave them a gentle swing to clear out any mucus, just like you would with newborn lambs. Then I started rubbing their bodies to try and get them breathing, and sure enough, they gasped and came around. So, I stopped working, got them warmed up and called the Scottish SPCA.”