Since we started 6 years ago, we have been hard at work putting together the infrastructure needed for us to help displaced wild animals. It has been a long journey and our hearts swell as we announce the dedication and commitment of everyone involved along the way has finally paid off.
We are officially welcoming our first resident, a young male fox who was injured in a car collision and is unable to be released back into the wild.
Back in May, Howell Nature Center, a rehabilitation facility in Michigan, provided emergency care to the fox after the collision. He was in critical condition but recovered from the majority of his injuries. Unfortunately, he sustained impairment to his vision that simply won’t allow him to be returned to the wild. The facility started reaching out for placement options and in the meantime worked with him to be comfortable around people so his medical care could be continued with ease.
He was moved to live outside once he was stable to give him more space and a more natural environment. Due to the nature of his injury, he will be transitioned to life at Wild Paws in a smaller, temporary acclimation enclosure. This will help him get used to his surroundings while still allowing him enough space to be the wild animal he is. This will also make it easier for him to find his food, shelter, and water with limited vision. Caretakers will monitor his abilities with his vision impairment to determine when he can be moved to a larger, permanent habitat.
Upon arrival, our Medical Director, Noemi Plantz, DVM, and trained animal care team will assess the fox’s health and make a continued care plan by:
Conducting an initial intake exam and subsequent exams as needed
Determining dietary needs
Monitoring mobility and awareness of surroundings
Recording daily observations of behavior
Initiating trust building
Utilizing operant conditioning techniques
It’s important to allow our new resident time to get acclimated to his new life. We will work with him at his comfort level and ensure he is able to live as wild as possible. His caretakers will utilize operant conditioning techniques, which is a method of learning that employs rewards for behavior. These learned behaviors will be beneficial to eliminate stress during vet exams, blood draws, or crating.
When he is ready, we will transition him to a larger habitat. Our hope is he may one day live with other foxes like him that could not be released after rehabilitation.
We look forward to providing updates in the coming weeks and months on how the new little fox is doing. In the meantime, please consider donating to help build his permanent habitat, support his continued care, and help us offer a home for life to more wildlife in need!