Orphaned newborn foxes saved by SSPCA officers

FOUR orphaned newborn fox cubs found beneath a bush are being given round the clock care after being rescued by animal welfare officers.
Four newborn fox cubs, found orphaned under a bush, are now recovering at National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross. Picture: PAFour newborn fox cubs, found orphaned under a bush, are now recovering at National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross. Picture: PA
Four newborn fox cubs, found orphaned under a bush, are now recovering at National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross. Picture: PA

The tiny animals were found when they were under three days old on Broom Road East in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire on March 7.

The Scottish SPCA is now caring for the cubs at its National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire.

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A wildlife assistant hand feeds the animals every three hours and takes them home at night to continue the feeding.

Animal Rescue Officer Ashley Griffin said: “Sadly, there was no sign of the cubs’ mother anywhere.

“They were so young they still had their umbilical cords attached and were extremely cold so it’s very lucky they were found.

“I put the cubs into a box with lots of towels and kept my van heater on high to keep them as warm as possible on the way to our wildlife centre.

“It’s great they are doing well in our care and that they have each other as this will really help with their development.”

The cubs have been named Misty, Frosty, Hazey and Sunny after the mixed weather on the day they were found.

Their fur will turn red when they are around four weeks old.

They will be released at a carefully selected site when they are at the right age and stage to be able to survive on their own in the wild.

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Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “The cubs were just a few days old when they were rescued and wouldn’t have survived if they hadn’t been spotted.

“There are two males and two females and they are all feeding well from the bottle.

“Wildlife assistant Lorin Willison has been providing the cubs with round the clock care, which includes taking them home at night to continue their hand feeding, but we’ll adopt a completely hands-off approach as soon they’re old enough to feed themselves.”

Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal is asked to call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

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