Wildlife Center Staff Pretend To Be Foxes While Caring For An Orphaned Kit

March 14, 2024

At the Richmond Wildlife Center in Virginia, a heartwarming tale of compassion and dedication is unfolding as employees step in to care for an orphaned fox kit. Acting as surrogate mothers, they are going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the tiny creature under their care.

In a recent Facebook post, the center emphasized the importance of preventing orphaned animals from becoming imprinted or habituated to humans.

"It's important to make sure that the orphans that are raised in captivity do not become imprinted upon or habituated to humans," the nonprofit explained. "To prevent that, we minimize human sounds, create visual barriers, reduce handling, reduce multiple transfers amongst different facilities, and wear masks for the species."

A touching video shared on the center’s Facebook page showcases Executive Director Melissa Stanley donning a red fox mask and rubber gloves as she delicately feeds the kit from a syringe. The tiny fox rests atop a large stuffed animal fox, providing comfort and mimicking the presence of its mother.

"The goal is to release animals back into the wild, not only to give them a greater chance of survival," Stanley said.