Baby Red Fox Found Under Dumpster, Rescued In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — A baby red fox was rescued after being found under a dumpster in Princeton this week.

A report of an animal making strange noises under a dumpster was reported on Wednesday to Princeton's Animal Control at the Unitarian Church on Cherry Hill Road. When Animal Control Officer James Ferry arrived he found the infant Red Fox crying out from under a dumpster.

Ferry said when he spoke with other people in the area they reported hearing the strange animal noises since last Monday but weren't sure where they were coming from.

Ferry became concerned when he saw that there was only one pup alone. Usually fox pups are in a litter of five or six. Unsure if the pup's mother would return, Ferry said he left the pup alone one night to see if the mother would return with food.

On Thursday there was no evidence of the mom or food, so Ferry contacted Mercer County Wildlife Center.

"It is pretty rare for a fox pup to be abandoned," Ferry said. "Who knows what happened to his mother or brothers and sisters."

Ferry worked with the Montgomery Township Animal Control Officer to carefully remove the pup from under the dumpster.

"The pup's gums were white and he was very weak," Ferry said. "It was clear this pup was in trouble."

Ferry brought the fox pup to the Welfare Center where he is currently being nursed back to health and is doing well.

Ferry noted that spring is baby time for many wild animals in Princeton and if a resident finds an animal in need they should call Animal Control at 609-924-2728.

"Our Animal Control Officer works closely with wildlife rehabs and can help make decisions if animals are in need of rescue. Ideally we want to reunite the baby with their mother but sometimes that isn't an option," Princeton, NJ Government stated. "Please keep in mind that many baby animals have teeth. Please do not handle them, contact animal control."

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