Fox cub rescued from car engine in Fife town

The little fox cub after being rescued from the car engine.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the baby fox on Scott Street, Dunfermline last week.

Luckily, they were able to lure the cub into a cat trap using some food and safely contain it.

The rescue comes off the back of the launch of the Scottish SPCA’s #WildlifeWise campaign which educates the public on when to leave baby animals alone in the wild and when to phone its animal helpline.

The cub had managed to crawl into the engine space.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Kelly McGuire said: “The fox was very lucky that this happened at a time when the public are travelling less as the car had been parked for three days.

“The member of the public who found the youngster could see its head moving when they opened the bonnet.

“Given that it may have been in there for the full three days the car was stationary, I knew the cub would likely be hungry.

“The promise of a square meal was all it took to lure the young fox out and safely contain it.

“The cub was transported to our National Wildlife Centre at Fishcross where it will receive the care it needs before being released back into the wild once old enough.”

The Scottish SPCA campaign #WildlifeWise aims to keep baby animals with their parents.

Vixens can sometimes leave their cubs when they are scavenging for food or looking for a new den. The Society is asking that people monitor the cubs and check back on them over a few hours to avoid creating an orphan.

The Scottish SPCA animal helpline is open from 7am-9pm every day and can be reached on 03000 999 999. To find out more about the campaign visit www.scottishspca.org/wildlifewise.