sick fox

Picidae · #81 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 03:05 PM

Keep it simple db - just contact both the environmental health dept at the Council and the Wildlife Liaison Officer at your local police station and report that you believe poisoned rats are being dumped in wildlife environments rather than being disposed of. Just a couple of phone calls to discuss and report it. They will keep it your name out of it if you request and will also take it further themselves if they feel it warrants it as well as advising you what to do.

dickybird · #82 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 03:10 PM

thanks--will do.

dickybird

aland · #83 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 07:21 PM

Hi dickybird, any news of your vixen today, aland.

dickybird · #84 (**permalink**) 21-09-2009, 11:32 AM

'morning aland! kind of you to ask after the vixen.
saw her again last night-she's looking so much better-just wish there was improvement in her paw. it would appear that one of the cubs is coming into the garden for food at the same time-so im sometimes having to put extra food out. dont worry-it always goes-before any rat has had even so much as a sniff!
i do think she's living somewhere nearby-though not in my garden. someone once told me that a fox will not live within 250 metres of a food source. does anyone know whether this is correct??

'bye for now

dickybird

Marcia · #85 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 10:49 AM

Hi Dickybird, I'm glad the vixen is looking better and eating well. Is her paw still very bad? Do you think it might have been broken or just injuried? It might take some time to heal but I hope she'll be fine. Some animals are really resilient and able to carry on even with some sort of disability. But let's hope she'll make a full recovery.

I could hear your hedgehogs complaining that "the service in your place is not like it used to be, no it's not..." So don't forget their Marmite next time.

spaa · #86 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 01:52 PM

NEW to the site, sorry if I'm interrupting a theme... Just let me know if I am in the wrong place, seems like a forum is just for one question. Have read your fascinating story, found great tips and hope any of you fox-lovers, can advise. Many Thanks:

BABY FOX in the garden...what to do? pros and cons- PLEASE For a couple of days a gorgeous baby-fox has been wondering around in our garden...we have left some food for him, he has actually come in a couple of times! and seems harmless, are they so? he has obeyed (snapping fingers got him out of our couch! and knows is not a place to go near) and after some food, relaxed and went to sleep like a baby in our kitchen mat... as we cannot keep him in we had to push him out before going to bed and close the back door. The following morning he was waiting for us to open the door. We didn't but he came back that night. Last night around 7pm we saw the neighbours throwing things/stones at him to make him leave, we were silently furious, he was scared and left but 20min later came back to our place, had some food and went to sleep. Around 11pm he was quite active so we closed the door again... he was crying! and made some noise finding a place to sleep next to pots(The neigh turned lights on). This morning he was back again...We think he has nowhere to go, perhaps lost his parents, and is so cute we cannot think he means any harm. On the one hand, we do not want any probs with neighbours who see him as a threat and this a.m were clapping to make him leave as if he was causing any nuisance. On the other hand, we'd love him coming around "for a while" as previous urban foxes we've had coming and going (we are surprise this one wants to stay with us like a pet BUT it's something we cannot do. As you mention they usually stay for a while and then leave, but if we are in, he is around all the time, getting upset when it is time to ask him to leave. it is quite funny. In our experience, they are not dangerous, if anything they are very sensitive, and noble. What to do? + could they harm children? is it ok to touch them like you would do to a dog? shall I leave a mat/sheep skin or create space for him in the garden? are we going over the top with this?
Look forward to hearing from you

Marcia · #87 (**permalink**) 22-09-2009, 02:20 PM

Hi Spaa, you've got a reply from ValleyForge on your original post. In case you missed, here it is:

Quote:

Originally Posted by valleyforge

From what you have told us, it appears that this fox cub has an identity crisis ... being neither wild, nor wanted as tame. That puts it in direct mortal harm from other humans, now and in the future.

What you should do for the best is to contact a wildlife rescue organisation in your area who can either rehabilitate the cub, perhaps with others of its kind, so that it is able to return to a state of wild living in a more suitable environment ... or failing that provide it with sanctuary for the remainder of its life.

Let us know where you are so we can provide you with some suitable contact details.

I agree with ValleyForge, the best thing to do for the little cub is to get specialised help from a wildlife rescue centre. Lots of people in this forum are rehabilitators and they could be able to help you if you tell us where you are.

And by all means, have a talk to your neighbour and ask him not to throw things (that's just cruelty anyway) or shoo the cub away. Try to explain that the cub needs to be around so the rescuers will be able to find and collect him. Fox are wild animals, although cute they can be unpredictable in their behaviour so it wouldn't be advisable to try to touch him. Keep an eye on him, offer food and water, get in touch with a rescue center. That's the best you can do for the little cub.

spaa · #88 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 09:54 AM

Very grateful for your replies. Yes, he has been disorientated for a couple of days hence the identity crisis you mention marcia...(fist time he came was last Fri). We are trying to educate him to come ‘for a while’ during the night, so I open the door after 7pm, so that he develops his instincts during the day and learns to protect himself. He seems to be getting the msg; he has his route, because he disappears during the day. Yesterday he was wandering around since 6pm, and I watched him going around peacefully meaning no harm in other gardens and then disspeared. In our experience with urban foxes, we have seen them marking their territory everywhere with their urine, the curious thing is that he is not doing it and has never ever done it when indoors he's got even manners! He seems also very sensitive and didn’t dare near the neighbours that do not want him.

After 7pm I opened the door, left some food and water, he came around 7.30pm, had the food, did not touch the water… and then went to sleep in kitchen mat… as soon as I needed to get in there, and even tried not to disturb him, he simply left and didn’t even sleep in our garden… so that was good news for us. We’d love to continue seeing him around making his way, we do not want him to depend on us, he gives signs he is capable of doing so… we live in London SW and Have gathered all the info and websites (from the advice many have given to Dickybird, which was an inspiring and useful debate to find) and Will be contacting them and/or talk to neighs if we see he is in danger. Many thanks again

dickybird · #89 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 08:05 PM

hi spaa---so pleased this thread has been of help to you--there are some people on this site worth listening to and can offer you some excellent advice or just support you in your efforts.good luck with your little fox.

hi marcia--dont know whats the problem with the vixens foot-wish i did then i could be more specific in her treatment.im a bit worried about her at the moment as i dont see how she can fend for herself and one of the cubs is taking nearly all the food.i didnt see her last night--i hope the cub hasnt chased her away. i did see my hedgehog though-enjoying a bath in the drinking bowl and yes-i remembered the marmite! would hate it to get about that this was an inferior establishment

dickybird

Elevate29 · #90 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 08:30 PM

Hi Spaa,
If you're in SW London you can try contacting 'Wildlife Aid' based in Surrey who can offer specialist care and advice for your fox. They would also be able to rehabilitate it so that it is less dependent on humans.

Wildlife Aid: 09061 800 132
or Google them for website.

Good luck

Elevate