Family rescues car-struck fox on highway
Eileen Jackson and family headed down slope from a Bristle Cones visit toward the Big Pine valley floor on Highway 168.
They spotted the body of a small furry mammal curled on the edge of a wide curve. Eileen and her brother parked and inspected the animal. It looked like a fox and was cold and unconscious.
Eileen wrapped it in a sweater and tucked it under her arm. The car headed north on U.S.. Highway 395 toward Keough’s Hot Springs
Road and, in a few minutes, pulled up in front of Wildcare Eastern Sierra’s rehab center.
The fox was quickly taken into the medical exam and care area.
Dec. 27, 2023: Examination: The fox weighed 4.3 pounds; not moving body much; moving legs slightly; small wounds on back leg and neck; urinated on body. Attempted to bite examiner (Danielle Manriquez). Identification: Kit Fox. A very small slender fox with exceptionally large ears filled with white fur and white fur on feet; rusty body with whitish belly and very large tail with black tip. Housing: Large carrier with soft bedding; small shallow dish of water. Treatment: 95 cc subcutaneous fluid initially and 2 cups of water orally after sleeping. Hand-fed cut up rodent.
The male Kit fox continued treatment indoors in carrier for about 9 days and then moved outdoors into “Bumpy Pen” where he dug under and into a hollow log and ate on his own – and well.
A few days later, he was moved into the “Badger Pen” with an 8x8 floor; floor can be dug up to 8 feet deep and 8 feet up to roof. The space was “decorated” with a variety of hollow logs, brush, etc. A hanging light bulb kept the pen warm at night. A hanging camera took photos. The Kit continued to strengthen day and night.
In the meantime, Wildcare staff and volunteers studied possible places for release. The Kit needed to be safe from roads like (168) where there are vehicles and intervention from people and other dangerous animal species. Kit foxes also needed edibles, moisture, and spots to dig dens. His age indicated that he was old enough to have a female companion and would be looking for her.
Some Big Pine residents are very familiar with the “Death Valley Road” that leads southward from (168) and where they have had numerous sightings of Kit foxes crossing roads or on the roadside.
Wildcare’s searchers got together with the Big Pine “familiars” and selected a spot at the foot of a curving, climbing canyon where we built a “den.” Kit foxes are active primarily from dusk to dawn.
Later, near dusk, we parked our car, then took The Kit’s carrier up and across to the “den” entrance. Helpers stood out of the way with cameras and Wildcare’s Cindy Kamler kneeled, grabbed the Kit’s neck from the carrier. She thrust him into his den and stood back.
The fox hid for a short time and then evacuated
This Kit fox was treated and released from Wildcare Eastern Sierra after it was found injured on U.S. Highway 395. from his hiding place and into the canyon grasses which matched him in size and color. From moment to moment, we located him by a gently waving spot here, another there, then a waving spot still farther up the canyon! Gone! The Kit Fox has disappeared!
of Wildcare Eastern Sierra
(Living with Wildlife is a program of Wildcare Eastern Sierra dedicated to helping the people of the Eastern Sierra live in harmony with our wild neighbors. For further information, contact Wildcare Eastern Sierra at (760) 8721487.)