A rescued Indian palm squirrel, Gillraj, has become an unlikely hero for his adoptive human sister, Aayushi Jain. The squirrel, now a social media sensation with over 13,000 followers on Instagram, was found orphaned by Jain more than a year ago and has since become an integral part of the family.
Gillraj, named after the Hindi word for squirrel, was discovered near a car tire, vulnerable and alone. Jain and her family searched for his mother and any potential siblings but found no trace of them. After bringing him home, Jain began taking care of the young squirrel, ensuring he had the proper nourishment and attention he needed. Jain recalled, “We tried feeding him with our hands, but when that wasn’t possible, we tried feeding him with cotton. Finally, we fed him with a syringe, and we took him to a vet to check if he was injured or something. He was perfectly fine.”
The bond between Jain and Gillraj grew stronger over time. She fondly remembers the sleepless nights when she would wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. to feed him and ensure he was warm. “It was really, really special taking care of him, and slowly, slowly, he started coming along,” Jain shared.
Their relationship has become so special that it was recently celebrated in a viral video where Gillraj renewed his Bhai Dooj vows with his human sister. Bhai Dooj is a festival celebrated by Hindus to honor the bond between brothers and sisters.
Jain posted a video on social media with the caption: “Bhai dooj special edition… thanks for saving me from me,” showing their playful and loving interactions.
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As Gillraj grew, his playful nature and quirky habits won over the hearts of his human family. He roams freely around the house, often jumping from plants to trees or riding piggyback on his humans. Despite his wild roots, Gillraj loves attention from his human family, especially later in the day. Jain described him as her “soul,” saying, “When things don’t go your way, you tend to get a little bit negative towards yourself. Then, he comes in, he just snuggles, and he just shows you that it’s going to be okay.”
While Jain has grown incredibly close to Gillraj, she advises against adopting wild squirrels. “Don’t steal them from their homes, but if you find any injured or alone creature, just try to help,” she said. She believes that Gillraj would not have survived without her intervention, but because he was raised by humans, he cannot be rewilded.
Gillraj’s story not only highlights the deep connection between humans and animals but also serves as a reminder of the compassion we can offer to those in need, no matter how small they may be.
