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| island fox pup |
This May an island fox pup, only a few days old, was separated from its parents. It was so young, its eyes were still closed. When the pup was found on a dirt road on Catalina Island, it was weak and hungry. Biologists with the Catalina Island Conservancy rallied to the pup's aid. Veterinary care was provided and after two weeks, the pup was healthy enough to be returned. But the clock was ticking on a possible reunion and acceptance from its fox family.
Returning to the area where the pup was found, biologist Lara Brenner and Emily Hamblen captured adult island foxes, including a female who showed signs of lactating. After observing interactions between the pup and the female, the pup was allowed to approach the female and it immediately began nursing. Mom and pup were reunited. The mother fox was radio-collared so that the biologists could locate the family and check in to see how the pup was doing. But getting everyone safely returned to the wild was a challenge. Watch the heart-warming story of mother and pup.
Three cheers for a brave island fox pup, a devoted mother fox, and the determined Catalina biologists who facilitated a successful reunion.
Friends of the Island Fox supports the CIC Fox Program with radio collars, fox health measures and "Fox-safer" trash cans. With your help, FIF replaced the electronic elements of traffic speed sign on Catalina in 2018 to help slow down drivers on a section of road dangerous to island foxes.
Working together to make island foxes and people safer on the Channel Islands.