Helping Mr Fox to feel fantastic again
A BADLY injured fox cub rescued from a Teesside industrial estate is being nursed back to health at a specialised wildlife centre.
The infant suffered a spinal injury, possibly after falling down an embankment, and was unable to stand on his back legs. He was found at the Augean works site in Port Clarence two weeks ago.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Shane Lynn took him to the charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire, where he is making a great recovery under the watchful eye of staff. The plan is to release him back into the wild when he has returned to full health.
The rescue comes during a period when it is common to see fox cubs above ground as they learn survival skills.
The RSPCA advises anyone who comes across cubs who appear healthy to monitor them from a distance as their parents may be close by.
In this case, the young fox was clearly in distress and needed expert assistance.
When he was first found by a worker on the site the stricken animal was just about able to lift his head.
Shane said: “The cub didn’t have any puncture wounds or obvious external injuries, but he couldn’t use his rear legs.
“He was literally scooting himself along the floor on his front legs. At first I thought he might have broken his pelvis, but the X-rays showed there wasn’t a fracture and fortunately it was only severe bruising and muscle damage.
“He may well have slipped down a muddy embankment at the works site.”
Rydale-based wildlife rehabilitator, Jean Thorpe, helped nurse the cub back on to his feet, before he was given the green light to travel to Cheshire.
RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said: “The fox is doing well in our care, but there was some spinal injury from the fall which is now being closely monitored by the team.
“He is receiving antiinflammatories and pain medication and we are hoping he will make a full recovery so that we can return him home as soon as possible.”
The RSPCA says that in most cases members of the public should not approach injured wildlife like foxes.
But if cubs are in immediate danger then they can be moved to a sheltered spot, after which a check can be made to see if they have been collected by their parents.
Shane said: “Foxes can bite when they’re scared or in pain, so it is best to monitor the situation from a distance and contact a wildlife rehabilitator, if that is possible.”
For more information about what to do, see the RSPCA website.