“We have never been more taken aback by such an instantaneous special bond” 💕
There’s nothing quite like having a best friend to lean on during life’s most difficult moments—especially when you’re a tiny, vulnerable animal fighting for survival. Just ask Kirby, a young fox cub from the United Kingdom, who recently endured a terrifying ordeal before being given a second chance—and a lifelong friend.
Kirby was discovered lying helplessly by the side of a road, his small body covered in blood around his nose and infested with over 500 ticks. The situation was dire.
“Kirby was found by the side of the road with blood around his nose and with a minimum of 500 [plus] ticks on him,” Wildlife Aid wrote in a Facebook post. “We’re not exaggerating, they were EVERYWHERE …”
These tiny parasites had been literally draining the life out of him. Too weak to eat, swallow, or even lift his head, Kirby was fading fast. But thanks to the quick action of the Wildlife Aid team, he was transported to their headquarters and received immediate, intensive care.
“Kirby was so weak, he was unable to suckle or even swallow any milk,” the organization shared. “On day two in care, his home carer was becoming increasingly concerned.”
Refusing to give up on him, one of Wildlife Aid’s dedicated volunteers brought Kirby home for round-the-clock care. The little cub was placed in a warm, cozy incubator and given subcutaneous fluids and honey on his gums to keep his blood sugar up.
Then, finally, after 24 tense hours of tireless effort, a breakthrough: “At 10:30 p.m., Kirby finally latched onto the bottle and began to suckle, much to his carer’s delight.”
Over the next week, Kirby continued to gain strength. His tiny body, once limp and covered in parasites, grew livelier by the day. But despite his physical recovery, one thing was still missing—a companion. Like most fox cubs, Kirby was a highly social animal, and the lack of another fox’s presence was beginning to show.
“Kirby was doing soooo much better and was now in desperate need of a playmate of a similar size,” Wildlife Aid noted.
As luck would have it, the team had just rescued another fox cub: Olbas, a shy and fragile girl battling suspected pneumonia and breathing difficulties. The team was hopeful that once Olbas stabilized, she and Kirby might form a bond.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Only a few days later, when Olbas was finally strong enough to meet Kirby, something magical happened. “If we’re honest, we have never been more taken aback by such an instantaneous special bond,” Wildlife Aid shared.
Despite still being weak, Olbas took immense comfort in Kirby’s presence. He, in turn, transformed into a gentle, attentive companion—becoming a sort of big brother who watched over her, shared his warmth, and even put up with her adorable, nonstop snoring.
The two became inseparable. Wherever Kirby went, Olbas followed—or at least tried, depending on her energy levels. As Kirby continued to bounce back with full energy, Olbas healed more slowly, but with clear determination. Sadly, she’s recently developed a “blue eye”, possibly a lingering sign of a viral infection. But she remains in good hands—and never alone.
Now, Kirby and Olbas are thriving in each other’s company, taking small steps each day toward recovery. Their friendship, born out of hardship, is not only heartwarming but also essential for their emotional and physical development.
The ultimate goal is to release them back into the wild, where they can live the full lives they were meant to. Until that day comes, the Wildlife Aid team continues to provide them with everything they need—and celebrates the special friendship that’s helped these two tiny foxes heal together.
“It truly melts our hearts to see how far the pair has come together,” Wildlife Aid wrote, “and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that they will continue to go from strength to strength.”
From near-death to heartwarming companionship, Kirby and Olbas are a beautiful reminder of the power of connection—even for the smallest among us.