Fox rescued from industrial site freed back to the wild

A fox was released back into the wild thanks to the dedicated work of RSPCA staff who arranged for him to travel more than 160 miles back to his native habitat.

The juvenile fox was rescued by the animal charity after suffering spinal injuries when falling down an embankment at an industrial estate near Stockton-on-Tees in July. He spent nearly a month recovering at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre near Nantwich, in Cheshire, where staff ensured he was returned to full health before he was ready to head home.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Shane Lynn, who carried out the rescue, liaised with staff at Stapeley Grange to ensure the animal would be released near to the spot where he was found at the Augean works in Port Clarence.

Shane says he was delighted to see how healthy the six-month old fox was when he picked him up from a veterinary practice in Teesside. At the time of his rescue the animal was in dreadful pain and could only “scoot” his body along the ground as he did not have the use of his back legs.

“We put a lot of work into ensuring this fox was released back into the wild and it was very rewarding to see him run off looking so happy,” Shane said.

“We arranged for his transport back up to the North East with the help of Stapeley Grange’s volunteers and logistics driver Colin Kay. Then we took the fox to a local vets, where he spent part of the day (August 15) so he could be released at the ideal time in the early evening.

“I came in on my day off as I was determined to see the job had a happy ending. We took the fox and released him in an area of land that is a known habitat for wildlife at around 7pm.

“We took some video and it is heartening when you look back at the footage I’d filmed in July to see the progress this animal has made (pictured left when he was first found).

“A lot of background work went on ensuring he could be released back home, from the initial rescue to the time he spent with wildlife rehabilitator Jean Thorpe and then his rehabilitation at Stapeley.

“The wildlife centre did a fantastic job with him and then there was the logistics of transporting him back to Teesside.”

A foreman at Augean was so impressed with the RSPCA operation that he donated £80 towards the costs of caring for the fox.

Shane says the factory has a reputation for being in touch with wildlife living nearby.

“They have got foxes and deer living on land around the site and they do know what animals are around. They alerted us to the plight of this fox and it is great we have been able to return him close to the local fox population,” added the animal rescue officer.

RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said: “Returning a rehabilitated wild animal, particularly a juvenile like this fox, back to where it was originally rescued is common practice and important for the welfare of the animal and helps increase its chances of survival.  

“Returning this fox to its territory is just one example of our team’s commitment to every animal that comes into RSPCA care.  It can be costly and time consuming but it is necessary.  There is no point spending all our time and money on an animal in our care at Stapeley if we were not to return it back to where it came from.

“Sometimes it can be a logistical nightmare returning animals such long distances but with a little teamwork, we always get there in the end.”

The RSPCA says that in most cases members of the public should not approach injured wildlife like foxes. For more information about what to do if you find a fox cub alone see:

RSPCA website.

You can support RSPCA Stapeley Grange’s work rehabilitating injured wildlife by visiting here.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.