The Full Scéal
Real Rescue Stories
As told with photographs, our captivating rescue stories explain how we rescue and treat Ireland's injured wildlife. Discover amazing real-life rescue stories from Ireland's only Wildlife Hospital. Learn all about our precious patients and the super staff who care for them.
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Foxtastic Scéal
The Rescue
We received a call to our Helpline late one evening in April reporting a dead adult fox in a ditch by the roadside.
When members of our First Response team went out they found the vixen's body and immediately checked if she was lactating. She was so they decided to check the area for cubs. Close to the ditch, they discovered two tiny cubs. We think their mother was moving them because it is very unusual for fox cubs of this size to be outside a den. We later heard there was building work going on on the grounds of a school not too far away so it is likely their den was dug up and she was hit by a car while moving them to safety.
Rehabilitation
When the two male cubs arrived they weighed just 170g and were still blind. They were fed small amounts of puppy milk through a tiny teat and were kept in an incubator. It was touch and go for the first few days with our interns taking turns to monitor the cubs and feed on demand. But after a week in our care, they began to get stronger and we were more hopeful.
Broc in Trouble
Rehabilitation
Broc was sedated so the rest of the netting could be cut away. While he was asleep the team used the time to give him a full check-up and ensure there was no lasting damage. It is important to weigh patients on their arrival to ensure they are at a healthy weight. If an animal is underweight it can mean there is something less obvious going on, but Broc was a great weight at 9.7kg.
Return
A stable was made cosy for Broc by putting lots of straw, a heat lamp and a kennel inside. Once his check-up was finished and he had woken up, he was moved in. Broc stayed with us for a few days until we were happy he was strong and fit enough to leave.
Broc was released back to the area where he was found, and says don't forget to tidy away netting from your garden!
“The single biggest threat to our planet is the destruction of habitat and along the way loss of precious wildlife. We need to reach a balance where people, habitat, and wildlife can co-exist – if we don’t everyone loses … one day.”
—Steve Irwin
