Heartwarming footage shows how zookeepers saved the life of a cute baby porcupine – by hand-rearing him with a bottle and giving daily physiotherapy.

Keepers at Blackpool Zoo nursed Dougie back to full health after they noticed he was struggling to move freely within minutes of being born.

The zoo said the North American tree porcupine was displaying limited use of his hind legs, possibly due to birth trauma, and was unable to feed naturally.

He was moved to a temperature-controlled brooder and was given daily physio and leg exercises, which helped him gradually regain full movement. 6

The prickly creature was also carefully fed a formulated milk blend to build up his strength.

Now, two months on, Dougie has taken his first steps and keepers say they are “delighted.”

Jason Kelle

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