What to do if you find a fox cub

April 16, 2024

It’s the time of year that fox cubs start emerging from dens, so here’s what to do if you find one…

If ever you’re going to stumble across a fox cub it is usually this time of the year. Most cubs are born early spring time so will just about be ready to start emerging from their dens to discover the world – an important part of learning their survival skills. Their parents, even if you can’t see them, are usually very close by keeping a watchful eye. Adult foxes are very unlikely to approach their cubs if there is a human nearby, so what might seem like an abandoned cub is more likely a cub with a shy parent lurking a short distance away. The natural instinct if you do find a cub is to want to help, and many people thinking they are lost or abandoned take them home, to a vet or to a wildlife centre when in reality it has a much better chance with reuniting with its mother if you just leave it to it.

What should I do if I think the fox cub is in danger?

- If the cub is in immediate danger (on a road or somewhere exposed or likely to be attacked by dogs, etc) then carefully move it to a safe, sheltered spot as close by as possible, making sure to handle the cub as minimally as possible.

- Those teeth are sharp so make sure you protect yourself, especially your hands, from a potentially nasty bite.

- Keep your own pets away from the cub.

- If its eyes are open then there is a good chance its mother is close by. Unless it is obviously hurt or in immediate danger it is best to leave it where it is and check back in 24 hours.

- If its eyes are shut then the cub is still very much dependent on its mother and therefore too young to be above ground. Contact your local wildlife centre or wildlife hospital for advice BEFORE moving it.

Should I rear the cub myself?

find a fox cub where to see animals in Essex — Some of our Hopefield foxes who will never be able to be released into the wild.

We have many foxes at the sanctuary who started life either as a hand-raised cub or as a pet, and they can never be released into the wild. Fox cubs need expert care and the company of other fox cubs and have very complex needs. Yes, we know they’re cute, but believe us, they do NOT make good house mates. They have a very pungent odour for one, and despite being too domesticated to be released into the wild, hand-raised cubs will never be domesticated well enough to be a pet.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to follow the above advice and seek professional advice before taking any kind of action.

If you find a cub in the Essex area then our amazing friends at South Essex Wildlife Hospital are the very best point of call to help you. Please call them on 01375 893893.

Can I come and visit your foxes?

find a fox cub where to see animals in essex

Unfortunately, due to our decision to not apply for a zoo licence, we can only open the doors to our exotic areas where the foxes live six times per year. Our next Open Weekend is on 4th and 5th May, so do book tickets to come and meet Kiera, Moxy, Charlie, Vivian, Gremlin and our other beautiful foxes.