Nosy visitor ferrets around in Derry office

[Published: Friday 13, July 2007 - 10:22]

By Clare Weir

Health board workers had a bit of a shock in Londonderry after an unexpected guest popped in for a 'ferret around'.

The wayward animal made his way into the headquarters of the Western Health and Social Services Board at Gransha on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday afternoon and didn't seem intent on leaving.

The sneaky creature was captured by a quick-witted IT man - but luckily will soon be heading to a new home with another worker who already keeps a number of the animals.

Spokesperson for the WHSSB, Michael Gormley, used to dealing with slightly more serious matters, told the North West Telegraph: "I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes, a ferret did make its way into the headquarters of the Western Board and it was caught by a member of staff from the IT department.

"Luckily there is a happy ending and we have another worker here who keeps ferrets and he has offered to give it a home."

The uninvited guest may have been a pet which has escaped or which may have been set free. Or it could have wandered off while being used to hunt rabbits.

Ferrets are keen explorers and love to inspect confined spaces, tunnels - and in this case, office corridors.

A spokesman for the USPCA said that the furry visitor to Gransha was just being typically nosy.

"Ferrets are individual little creatures, with a mind of their own. Wayward ferrets are nothing new to us and that is just the way they are - they are not pets for everyone," he said.