A heartwarming scene unfolds at the Richmond Wildlife Center in Virginia, where staff members go to great lengths to care for an orphaned juvenile red fox, known as a kit. In a video shared on social media, Melissa Stanley, the Executive Director of the center, is seen wearing a red fox mask while tenderly feeding the kit with a syringe. The kit is nestled on a large stuffed animal fox, which serves as a surrogate for her mother, while snuggled up with another smaller stuffed animal.
The purpose behind the mask is to prevent the kit from forming an attachment or becoming accustomed to human interaction. This is crucial to ensure that the kit retains her natural instincts and behaviors, which are vital for her eventual release back into the wild. Imprinting, where young animals bond with the first object they encounter, can pose challenges for wildlife rehabilitation efforts. To mitigate this risk, the Richmond Wildlife Center employs various strategies, including minimizing human sounds, creating visual barriers, and reducing handling.
The ultimate goal of the center is to prepare the animals in their care for successful reintroduction into their natural habitat. The kit in question was admitted to the center after being discovered in an alley in Richmond. Initially mistaken for a kitten, she was less than a day old, weighing a mere 2.2 ounces, with her umbilical stump still attached.
Despite efforts to locate her mother and reunite them, it was discovered that the foxes had been trapped and removed from their den site. As a result, the dedicated staff at the Richmond Wildlife Center have taken on the responsibility of caring for the young kit. They meticulously feed her every few hours, ensuring her nutritional needs are met while minimizing direct human contact.
While the sight of a person wearing a fox mask may seem unconventional, it serves a critical purpose in wildlife rehabilitation. By preventing the kit from associating humans with nurturing behaviors, the center hopes to instill a healthy fear of humans, essential for her survival in the wild. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce the kit to other red foxes in similar rehabilitation settings, with the aim of fostering socialization and preparing her for eventual release.
In cases where members of the public encounter animals in distress, it's essential to seek assistance from local wildlife authorities. Prompt intervention can make a significant difference in the animal's well-being and increase the likelihood of a successful return to their natural habitat.