A tiny squirrel in Boise, Idaho was being bullied — and no one knew why at first.
A local woman noticed a group of squirrels repeatedly chasing away one small, struggling squirrel from her backyard food supply. Curious, she took a closer look — and immediately realized something wasn’t right.
The little squirrel’s head looked unusually large, almost as if it were swollen.
A Rare Condition
The woman contacted Tye Lombardi, a licensed wildlife rescuer with decades of experience.
“The moment I saw the photos, I thought it could be hydrocephalus,” Lombardi said. The condition involves a buildup of fluid around the brain, which can cause swelling and pressure inside the skull.
After observing the squirrel for a couple of days, Lombardi safely captured him and brought him in for closer evaluation.
An Unexpected Discovery
A veterinarian later confirmed the diagnosis — but also found something surprising.
Despite the swelling, the squirrel’s brain was fully enclosed within his skull, which isn’t always the case with hydrocephalus. Even more unusual, there was a calcified growth on the front of his head.
“It’s almost like he has a second skull,” Lombardi explained, jokingly referring to it as the squirrel’s “bike helmet.”
A New Life Indoors
Lombardi named the squirrel Ein, inspired by Albert Einstein — a nod to his unique appearance.
Now, Ein lives safely indoors alongside other special-needs squirrels. He has access to a comfortable enclosure where he can socialize when he wants — or retreat into his own quiet space.
“Ein is incredibly gentle and cautious,” Lombardi said. “He prefers to stay hidden most of the time and has never once shown aggression.”
Ongoing Care
Ein requires daily medication to manage the fluid buildup and reduce swelling. While the treatment is helping, it’s a lifelong condition — and any attempt to reduce the medication causes the swelling to return.
Because of this, Ein won’t be able to return to the wild.
But in many ways, he’s found something even better.
A Safe Future
Lombardi hopes to eventually create a larger outdoor enclosure where Ein can safely experience nature at his own pace.
For now, Ein spends his days eating, resting, and living free from the stress and danger he once faced.
His story is a reminder that survival doesn’t always mean returning to the wild — sometimes, it means finding the right place to belong.
“Every animal deserves a chance,” Lombardi said, “even when they’re not perfect.”
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