A SCOTS zoo has shared adorable pictures of six sugar gliders who were “cruelly abandoned” outside a supermarket.
The tiny possums, native to Australia, were dumped in a box near a Lidl branch, leaving them exposed to the elements.
The sugar gliders were discovered dumped in a box outside Lidl[/caption]
The possums are currently undergoing a 30-day quarantine period[/caption]
They are currently in the care of Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian[/caption]
Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian is taking care of the animals after being alerted by Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA earlier this month.
The sugar gliders, who are yet to be named, are currently undertaking a 30-day quarantine period.
Keepers are “closely monitoring” their health and behaviour before they are eventually moved into a new habitat.
The zoo wrote on social media: “We were recently contacted by Police Scotland and Scottish SPCA regarding six sugar gliders who had been cruelly abandoned in a box outside a Lidl supermarket.
“Sugar gliders are a tropical species, and being left to fend for themselves in the harsh Scottish winter did not give them the best chance of survival.
“While we are unable to accommodate every animal in need that comes our way, we remain committed to our animal rescue efforts, which is why we wanted to do everything we could to help in this situation.
“The sugar gliders, who are yet to be named, arrived two weeks ago and are currently in a 30-day quarantine period where our dedicated keepers are closely assessing their health and behaviour before they eventually move into a new habitat.
“Be sure to follow our social media for updates on their progress and to find out when you can meet these resilient little survivors!”
Members of the public flocked to the comments to react to the “cruel” act.
One wrote: “I hope they are going to be okay after their trauma, glad you are looking after them. They are beautiful wee things.”
Another said: “What is wrong with some people? Let’s dump them in the freezing cold weather and see how long they survive.”
A third fumed: “Awful to leave animals anywhere who can’t fend for themselves.”
A fourth weighed in: “Why do people not think to reach out and ask for help? Those poor little things must be so scared. Can’t stand it when folk do this.”
