Rescue of four foxes
The rescue mission involved with these adorable fox kits began when a concerned caller reported finding a dead fox along the side of the road. The caller was able to observe the fox as a nursing mother by her swollen mammary glands (teats) and proceeded to look for the orphans.
The search led to discovering "5" fox kits nesting in a junkyard. The well-meaning caller brought them home and began bottle feeding them formula. After a week of feedings, the smaller female kit bit the caller causing a small puncture. The caller knew the importance of identifying the biter by placing a string collar around its neck for possible rabies concerns, and called Nature World Wildlife Rescue to report the incident. The orphans were immediately transported to our licensed/vaccinated/rehabber for evaluation. Upon arrival, and according to State regulation, Citrus County Animal Control was notified, who then contacted Environmental Control to report the "bite to a human."
After numerous phone calls, the County/State authorities made the decision that the "biter" would have to be euthanized and sacrificed for rabies testing. Animal Control came to pick up the fox kit. Arrangements were made for our transportation team to deliver the remaining orphans to a licensed rehabilitation Center in Orlando.
The good news for the caller and the 4 fox kits was; "The rabies test was negative!" This case presents the importance of knowing how to help Wildlife in Trouble. Our help is available when you contact NWWR at 352-621-5575. Our group of dedicated volunteers will guide you to do the safe and legal thing. Please call and share with us, Nature's Reward!
Wish list
- Carriers, Kennels, Crates, Dog Houses, Tubs, Storage Containers, etc.
- Heating Pads
- Blenders, Food Processors
- Blankets, Bedding
- Paper Towel, Newspapers
- Gloves (Latex, Nitrile, Cotton, and Leather)
- Gram Scales
- Reference Books
- Dog Clippers with #10 and #14 blades
- Feeding Tubes, Syringes, and Bottles
- Medical Supplies
- Volunteers to transport animals
- Donations for food and medical supplies. We are funded by public donations,
No government sources. - Home Depot Gift Card (for cage building supplies)
Brown thrasher fledgling bird
This fledgling Brown Thrasher bird came into Nature World Wildlife Rescue as a tiny, naked baby bird whose nest was blown out of a tree last month, after we FINALLY got a rainstorm in Citrus county. No other babies were found in the downed nest, or on the ground in the area. This would be unusual to have only one baby, but with the severe 3-year drought we have been in, sometimes the wildlife compensate for the environmental conditions by having fewer babies.
While we normally try to raise wildlife babies with others of their own species and age, this Thrasher was a single baby that came in, and we did not get any other Thrashers to put with him/her.
Once our thrasher reached the point of being able to self-feed, fly and show awareness/fear of predators, we began what is commonly called a "soft release". This is where we supplement their feeding for a couple of days while they adjust to life in the "wild".
Passel of possums
Nature World Wildlife Rescue takes in an annual average of 8-10 adult opossums and 120-150 baby opossums. Most of our baby possums are brought in to us because the mother was hit by a car and had died, or a dog may have attacked them. NWWR members (and a lot of Citrus County citizens) often check road kill opossums for surviving babies!
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial in North America. Their babies are born less than 1/2" long. They must climb from the birth canal to the mother's pouch and latch on to one of her 13 or so nipples, where they will hang on until they are about 2-3 months old. Then they are carried on her back when they are away from the den for another month (re-entering the pouch to nurse). At about 4 months of age, when they are 7-9 inches long, they are on their own.
