Dumfriesshire farmer saves leveret by performing roadside C-section
5th July 2025
Farmer Robert Craig experienced a very unusual day on his farm as he performed a roadside emergency caesarean section procedure on a hare.
Mr Craig made the heartbreaking discovery while working in a field in Dumfriesshire on 13th May.
He had been carrying out a silaging operation when he accidentally struck an adult female hare with his machinery.
As the farmer checked the animal, he noticed something astonishing — movement in her belly.
‘I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life’
He said: “I went to check what I had struck and sadly found the hare dead.
“But then I saw her stomach move and knew instantly she was pregnant, and I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life.”
Mr Craig delivered two tiny leverets by the side of the road — performing an emergency caesarean section procedure with a penknife to save the babies.
He said: “I carefully cut them open and saw 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.”
Unfortunately, one leveret did not survive. The other one, however, is being hailed as a little miracle.
The tiny baby hare, named Bruno, is now thriving under the care of the Scottish SPCA.
The staff said that he has made a “remarkable” recovery at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Almost ready to be released
Animal rescue officer Emma Totney, said: “It’s heartwarming to know that thanks to a kind-hearted farmer, the wildlife centre team, and myself, this little miracle will get the chance to return to the wild and live a full life.”
Bruno was admitted to the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre underweight at just 80g – well below the typical 100 to 130g birth weight for a newborn hare.
Wildlife assistant Shauni Stoddart, who has been caring for Bruno, added: “When Bruno first arrived, he was 20g underweight and in a very fragile condition. Due to his unique circumstances, he was hand-reared at home for the first five days to minimise stress. He responded incredibly well, quickly gaining strength.”
Bruno has since grown significantly, now weighing more than nine times his original weight. He has adapted to milk feeds and has begun eating independently.
The team is optimistic that Bruno will be ready for release in the coming weeks, provided his progress continues.
Bruno’s birth was very extraordinary, and the Scottish SPCA would not recommend anyone performing this kind of surgery on any animal.
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