Three little fox
The Delta County Correctional Facility welcomed three red fox this past week as they were released on the prison property by Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue. Thank you, Terry and Cheryl Ryan, Co. Parks & Wildlife volunteers for transporting the fox to their new home.
The fox came into rehab when they were found by someone working on a bridge in Delta. Unfortunately, no one who initially took the 3 fox kits found out exactly where they were from. Had it been known, Brenda Miller, the volunteer wildlife rehabber would have taken them right back that night and put them out so their parents could come and get them. Wildlife has the best chance for survival when raised by their parents. Humans cannot teach fox where to find food, how to hunt it, seek water and shelter and who they should fear. Even given the best of care by licensed rehabilitators, their chances for survival in the wild are not the greatest. Several people who were initially involved in attempting to care for these little red fox were ticketed and fined by CO. Parks and Wildlife for illegal possession of wildlife. It is against the law in Colorado for anyone to have wildlife in their possession unless they have the proper permit. This is because most people do not know how to properly raise wildlife in order to give it the best chance for survival in the wild. Also, wildlife can carry numerous diseases contagious to humans, pets and livestock. Wild creatures do not make good pets. It is always best to leave wildlife alone, and watch from a distance. If you are concerned that something is sick, injured or abandoned, you may call Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 252-6000, or Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue at 970-209-5946. See their Facebook page at: http://bit.ly/RRWR-Facebook Licensed wildlife rehabilitation in Colorado is all volunteer, relying on financial support from the public. |