An animal rescue charity in Devon (Devon Animal Charity) has made its first fox cub rescue of the year, and it’s come earlier than expected.
Elm Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, based in Newton Abbot, took in a tiny, four-week-old cub, now named Rowan, after he was discovered alone in a woman’s garden near a construction site in the Barne Barton area of Plymouth on April 12.
Devon Animal Charity – An Unusually Early Rescue
Rick Parker, one of the founders of Elm Wildlife Rescue, explained that cub rescues typically start in May, making Rowan’s arrival notably early this year.
Concerned about the cub’s well-being, Parker personally searched the surrounding area for more cubs, as it’s highly unusual for one so young to be separated from its mother.
It looks like the land is being cleared for a building site, and I think their den may have been disturbed or destroyed.
– Rick Parker
“There’s a chance something happened, so I went down to see if there were more cubs, but unfortunately, the site was locked up with trespass signs.”
He’s now appealing to anyone in the area to keep an eye out for other cubs who may have become displaced and to contact the centre immediately if any are found.
How Elm Wildlife Rescue Cares for Fox Cubs
Elm Wildlife typically rescues up to five fox cubs each year, though they’re usually older when they arrive. Unlike their main centre, which focuses primarily on hedgehogs, the foxes are cared for in dedicated spaces at Rick Parker’s home due to space limitations.
“We have a backroom set up for the animals, then we move them down into the cellar as they grow,” Parker explained. “Eventually, the next step is moving them into an outdoor enclosure.”
The charity recently purchased additional land to build new enclosures, with hopes of expanding their capacity to care for more foxes in the future.
Raising Rowan: A Feisty Little Survivor
Emily Parker, Rick’s daughter, plays a vital role in raising the rescued cubs. She pointed out that Elm Wildlife is currently the only rescue centre in Devon that takes in fox cubs from such a young age and cares for them all the way through to their release.
“This isn’t something we do by choice but a necessity,” she said about housing the foxes at home.
Emily feeds Rowan five times a day, carefully monitoring his growth and behaviour. In just a short time, the cub’s weight increased from 450 grams (15oz) to 650 grams (22oz). Despite his young age, Rowan is eating well and showing plenty of spirit.
“He’s full of attitude — feisty, active, and showing really good signs,” Emily shared.
The cub will remain under the charity’s care until the end of August or early September, which is the natural time when young foxes begin to roam and adult foxes become more tolerant of cubs in their territories.
Releasing him before then would be risky, both for Rowan and for the local fox population.
A Vital Role in Devon’s Wildlife Protection
Fox cub rescues like Rowan’s highlight the growing need for animal welfare charities, especially in areas facing rapid urban development. With habitats being disturbed by building projects and land clearances, young animals are increasingly at risk.
Elm Wildlife Rescue continues to work tirelessly to provide safe, temporary homes for displaced animals until they’re ready to be released back into the wild. Their efforts fill a critical gap in Devon’s wildlife protection services, especially for fox cubs, who require specialist care that few centres in the region can provide.
As Rick Parker emphasized, the charity keeps human interaction to a minimum, limiting it to feeding and medical care to ensure the foxes maintain their wild instincts.
Community Support Needed
The team at Elm Wildlife hopes that by raising awareness of Rowan’s rescue, more local residents will be on alert for vulnerable animals, especially around construction sites and cleared land.
Anyone in the Plymouth or wider Devon area who comes across an injured or abandoned fox cub is urged to contact Elm Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue immediately. Every timely report could mean the difference between life and death for these fragile creatures.
For more information about their work, visit Elm Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation in Newton Abbot or follow their updates on social media.
