On May 22nd, 2022, a red fox kit (Vulpes Vulpes) was admitted to Calgary Wildlife orphaned. The member of the public who found the kit had set up trail cameras to monitor the babies and noticed the parents had yet to return for a couple of days. Over the next week, the wildlife team worked hard to contain the remaining fox kits and reunite them with their sibling.
By May 28th,2022, all three foxes were reunited and in care. After being treated for parasites, the kits were given a clean bill of health and just had to continue growing before being ready for release.
One month into care, the kits were big and old enough to move outside into a large enclosure to begin acclimating and conditioning for release.
On October 6th, 2022, the three foxes were old enough and ready to be released back into the wild. For the best chance of survival, since they did not have a den, our team did a "soft release" in an area where the three siblings could be monitored until they were ready to move on on their own.
Did You Know?
Fox kits stay with their parents for approximately seven months
The red fox's tail is over half its body length
They have five toes on their forelimbs and only four on their hind legs
A group of foxes is called a Skulk or a Leash
Foxes have whiskers on their legs and face to help them navigate more precisely