Stig 'dumped' by his parents (From Yeovil Express)

Stig 'dumped' by his parents

5:59pm Wednesday 1st March 2006 in Yeovil By Lyndsey Mayhew

VISITORS to The Wildlife Park at Cricket St Thomas have been intrigued by an unusual baby resident who likes to eat Weetabix!

Stig is a mara, a rodent from South America. He has been hand reared by the staff at the park after his parents rejected him at an early age.

He has been enjoying bottle feeds of kitten substitute milk, and park keeper Jane Finch has been giving him round-the-clock care - including night-time feeds in the early days.

Jane said: " We found Stig when he was at about two days old in his parents' paddock. He was cold, weak and dehydrated.

"He needed a lot of care for the first few weeks but he is now eating solid foods such as hay, fruit, vegetables and even Weetabix!"

Stig is now going out to a small, grassed area during the day and it is hoped he will soon be big enough to be out on public display.

"He loves weetabix"

Cricket St Thomas keeper - Jane Finch