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Found a Fox or Coyote

I Found a Fox or Coyote

Fox and coyote can contract rabies. Please do not touch or attempt to capture these animals until you’ve spoken with a local wildlife rehabilitator. Call Greenwood at (303) 823-8455.

Mange: Both of these species are commonly affected by sarcoptic mange, a condition caused by an infestation of microscopic mites that burrow into the skin of the animal, resulting in an intensely itchy rash.
Sarcoptic mange is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transferred to humans and pets. Contact your
physician /local veterinarian with any concerns regarding yourself or your pet.

I Found an Adult Fox/Coyote

If you have found an injured or sick adult fox or coyote, call your local animal control office. If you are having issues with a nuisance fox or coyote visit the humane solutions page. 

I Think I Found a Baby Fox/Coyote

What do they look like?

Baby Red Foxes have:

  • white tip on their tail
  • kitten-like paws and white nails
  • bellies are usually furred

Baby Coyotes have:

  • white chest patch
  • dark tail tip
  • bare abdomen

What to Do

If you suspect the fox/coyote is orphaned or injured, call Greenwood Wildlife at (303) 823-8455.
NO FOOD OR WATER! People often think that feeding an orphaned baby will make it feel better, but doing so can actually endanger its life.

Baby mammals can appear to be orphaned when in fact they are not.

A baby fox’s or coyote’s best chance for survival is to be raised by its natural parents. It is imperative that you make every effort to allow the parents to care for their babies before considering removing a baby fox/coyote from the wild. If you have disturbed a den or frightened an adult fox/coyote, you may see the adult run away from the den or the baby. There is a very good chance that the parent will return and continue to care for their young.

Reunite

If the baby seems healthy, it should be left alone for the remainder of the day and 1- 2 nights for the parents to claim. It is possible that they are still around but have become temporarily separated from their
baby.

If the baby’s eyes are still closed:

Step 1: Prepare the reunite box

Use clean pillowcases or T-shirts to line the bottom of the box. (No towels please). On one side of the box place 3 – 4 chemical hand warmers underneath the T-shirts/pillowcase so as not to burn the babies. You can also use a non-auto-shutoff heating pad on low under half the box.

Step 2: Place the baby(ies) in the box using thick gardening gloves

Do not put the box directly in contact with the ground. Use blankets or towels under the box to act as insulation.

Step 3: Leave the container in the area where the baby was found

If you have seen the mother, place the box along her route where you think she would encounter it. Otherwise, put the box as close as possible to where the baby was found, as the mother will be most likely to look for it nearby. Place the box outside during the day.

What if it rains or snows? In heavier rain or snow, try placing a plastic bin or umbrella on its side and tucking the box inside for shelter. In the case of stormy weather, keep the baby in the box and bring it inside until the weather clears; mom won’t be looking for it in the middle of a storm. As soon as the weather clears, put the baby back out where it was found.

Step 4: Check to see if the mother has retrieved the baby Babies should be left out for 1 -2 days, from dawn until dusk. Parents are most likely to retrieve their babies when there are fewer people around. Stay far away from the box so that you do not scare the mother. Check the box in the evening to see if the parent has retrieved the babies.

Contact Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for further instructions (303) 823-8455. Keep the baby in a securely closed container with air holes and continue to offer a heat source.

If the baby’s eyes are open:

Step 1: Watch and observe the babies from a distance for one full day. Periodically check on the area throughout the day to see if the babies are still there. If they aren’t, the mother has probably returned!

Step 2: If the baby is still where you found it by 3 pm, call Greenwood for further instructions. (303-823-8455).