A New Arrival
Wildwood, a wildlife park in Kent, has welcomed ten Arctic fox cubs to their conservation efforts. Born in May to parents Flo and Albert, the litter consists of five males and five females. After spending their first months underground, the cubs are now emerging and exploring their surroundings.
Signs of New Life
Sally Holt, the head of carnivores and small mammals at Wildwood, described how staff realized Flo was about to give birth. Flo had been constantly digging, and Albert became notably aggressive when approached. Holt explained that Arctic foxes prefer multiple birthing sites, which Flo was preparing in advance.
Historical Context
Arctic foxes once roamed Britain during the last Ice Age but became extinct in Scotland as the climate warmed and the ice receded. Today, the Arctic foxes at Wildwood are adapting well to Kent’s milder weather. The park has specially built an enclosure with walkways for visitors to observe the foxes in a setting that mimics their natural habitat.
Life in the Enclosure
The cubs are currently weaned from their mother and are fed a diet of chicks, fish, and berries provided by their keepers. As they grow, half of the cubs will eventually move to the Wildwood Trust’s sister site in Devon, continuing the park’s mission of protecting and re-wilding animals native to Great Britain.
Looking Forward
The cubs, yet to be named, are a testament to Wildwood’s commitment to conservation and rewilding. Visitors can look forward to watching these new arrivals grow and thrive in their new home.