Baby Fox Cub

Sugarpuff · #1 (**permalink**) 26-04-2009, 11:26 PM

Hi,

This evening I was on the way back home (10pm) when I saw a very small baby fox cub by the side of single track road a short distance from a busy main road. It was walking around a bit. I drove past it but came back 10 mins later and it was still there but now very close to the busy main road. I know that you are not meant to pick up wild animals as its mum may come back, but I couldn't leave it as I was worried that it would go onto the main road before its mum came back, assuming it was not abandoned. I picked it up with a coat and it is now in a cardboard box with a towel and some cat food (all we have at this time of night) and I will put some water in with him as well.

I think he is only about 4-5 weeks old. Eyes open, but he's still very fluffy and dark coloured. It wasn't hard to catch him as he wasn't very quick and made no attempt to bite through the coat.

I will phone Secret world tomorrow am, but any advice to make sure he makes it through the night would be appreciated. ie, should I feed, will he need toileting, how warm will he need to be kept, etc.

I was reluctant to take him in but he was heading towards a very busy main road and i saw or heard no sign of him calling to mum or her calling to him. So lesser of two evils I think. I could put him back outside, but not sure if my smell on the coat will have made him smell of human, so will definately be abandoned, chilly night aswell as main road.

Any thoughts!?

RobinP · #2 (**permalink**) 26-04-2009, 11:33 PM

I personally would have left him/her alone but good luck anyway.

NickCantle · #3 (**permalink**) 26-04-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinP

I personally would have left him/her alone but good luck anyway.

I probably would too- but still be worried about it.

Words · #4 (**permalink**) 27-04-2009, 12:28 AM

Worth posting a reminder that young cubs will just now be emerging from dens. They won't travel far for the next few weeks so generally unless they are in immediate danger they probably best left alone. The den will be very near where you spot them at this stage. The parents are likely to be out hunting food for them (they are dependent for a little while longer yet) so the cubs may appear deserted even when they are not.

Sugarpuff, I can understand your dilemma and like Nick if I'd have seen it I would have left it, but worried. Cat food will do for tonight, but try to limit handling the cub as much as you can and it's best to take it in to a rescue centre where it can be integrated with other fox cubs. As long as it's secure, warm and dry, and it has access to water it should be fine.