When a local resident noticed a group of puppies stuck in a storm drain, the fire department was the first on his mind.
The ever-ready firefighters of the Colorado Springs Fire Department didn’t waste a moment. They swiftly arrived and managed to rescue what they believed to be eight black puppies.
Image source: The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park
Twist in the Tale
But the story took an unexpected turn. These weren’t just any puppies; they were baby red foxes! Fire Captain Brian Vaughan shared with Inside Edition that they initially thought they were rescuing newborn black Labrador Retrievers.
The team even searched for the mother, but she was nowhere in sight.
Image source: The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park
Deciding to ensure the best care for these little ones, they took them to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
And that’s where the big revelation happened. A vet pointed out, “No, these aren’t Labradors, these are foxes.” The firefighters were taken aback.
Image source: The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park
The vicinity where the foxes were found is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, making it a common habitat for foxes.
While the firefighters were baffled, Travis Sauder from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife District wasn’t. He mentioned to CBS News that many animals birth their young in hidden dens around this time of year.
These firefighters in rescued what they thought were puppies from a storm drain… but it turns out they’re red foxes!
What to do now?
Reporter @AbeytaCBS4 shares the story: https://t.co/ubpMJjjj8h
(📹: Colorado Springs Fire Department) pic.twitter.com/Mksg0A0IJH— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) March 16, 2018
Caring for the Little Foxes
Upon realizing their true identity, the baby foxes were returned to the storm drain, hoping their mother would come back. Unfortunately, she didn’t.
The next step? The foxes were taken under the wing of The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park in Colorado for rehabilitation.
The clinic expressed their excitement and challenges on Facebook, mentioning how Terri, their rehabber, was dedicatedly feeding them.
Image source: The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park
Once strong and ready, these little foxes were released back into the wild, where they truly belong.
