For nearly ten years, Dora Nightingale has been a dedicated fox rescuer, committed to ensuring these wonderful creatures are treated with the respect they deserve. As the founder of Fox Guardians, her goal has been to educate others about foxes and inspire them to show these charming animals love and kindness. Over time, the foxes in the neighborhood have come to see her garden as a sanctuary where they can find safety, rest, and grow.
One of these foxes is a lovely female named Babybelle. For over two years, Babybelle has been a regular visitor in Nightingale’s yard, and everyone considers her part of the family. One day, however, Nightingale noticed something unusual in Babybelle’s behavior. The fox was standing guard in front of an old doghouse in the yard and refused to leave her post.
Curious, Nightingale decided to investigate and discovered that Babybelle was protecting something incredibly precious. “I went out to feed the birds and spotted the tiny cubs wiggling in the shelter,” Nightingale shared with The Dodo.
Nightingale believes that Babybelle’s original nest was probably destroyed, leaving her worried about the safety of her newborns. In all her years of running Fox Guardians, Nightingale had never faced a situation like this, so she thought it best to seek advice from a professional. Fox cubs are usually kept hidden, so wildlife rescuers and a vet advised Nightingale to simply keep a close watch on Babybelle and her babies, trusting that the mother fox would handle things on her own.
“The footage showed that mum visited the cubs every two hours to nurse and groom them, and then after sunset carried one cub after the other off to the new den that is located near my garden,” Nightingale said. Even though it was challenging for Babybelle to move all five cubs, especially since she had to jump over a fence each time, this determined mother did whatever was necessary to keep her litter safe.
Merida is a senior who was found abandoned in a backyard with her sibling who had passed away. She was left to fend for herself as an 11-year-old with diabetes. Thankfully, Kanoa Rescue Foundation stepped in to save her, but she still needs your help!
Watching Babybelle grow into such a devoted mother filled Nightingale with deep pride. For Nightingale, being a fox guardian for almost a decade is an experience beyond words. She hopes that everyone understands that if a fox family chooses your yard as a temporary home, it’s best to let them be.
“Foxes play a very important role in our ecosystem… and they need to live somewhere. Natural habitats for wildlife are ever-shrinking, so let a fox share your wild space for a while. The cubs will eventually disperse in late summer. In the meantime, enjoy the show — it’s ‘only’ Disney Live unfolding on your lawn!” Nightingale concluded.
Toledo, United States.
