An injured porcupine’s recovery and reunion with its mate is giving hope in the aftermath of eastern Washington’s Labor Day wildfires.
Wisdom admitted that it was by far the toughest sight she had seen in a long time; the rodent was known to her and had lived in her neighborhood for years.
The porcupine was weak, agitated, and badly burned, and her eyes were swollen shut.
Wisdom immediately started a regime of pain medicine, a saline wash for her eyes, a cold compress, and antibiotics. She gave Porky “all the fresh veggies she could want,” plus nourishing pedialyte and electrolyte water. Wisdom received guidance to care for Porky from the Palouse Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation.
Through regular recovery updates on Facebook, the injured critter quickly gained a fanbase.
At first, the defeated porcupine received her treatment without a fuss, but as time progressed, her prickly spines started growing back in and her wounds started to heal. Wisdom then found herself needing gloves and quilts to handle Porky.
“[I]t shows that I didn’t humanize her,” she reasoned. “I’m really glad, because I didn’t want her to think that humans are friends, because not all humans are friends. ... She’s supposed to be wild.”
Headed toward a patch of trees untouched by wildfire, Porky took off without a backward glance. Wisdom described the release as “bittersweet,” but it turned out that Porky had somebody to get back to.
A male porcupine, said Wisdom, turned around as Porky approached and sniffed the tree she was sitting in. Gradually, an entire entourage gathered to greet her.
“We sat and watched the group for a while,” Wisdom said, “and Porky proceeded to gorge herself on tree branches and make loud happy teeth-chattering noises. ... I couldn’t be happier.”
Since Porky’s release, Wisdom has applied to study veterinary medicine in Washington state. A number of rescue centers have also reached out, asking her to volunteer with them.
Wisdom has also been keeping an eye on Porky since her release and shared an update with The Epoch Times. “I have seen her around our ranch and she is doing very well,” she revealed. “She is staying local and is growing a thick winter coat.”
Porky’s happy ending is a symbol of hope to many amid the dark times.