ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — On June 20, the Wildlife Center admitted a Red Fox that had been seen in Albemarle County for nearly two months with a piece of plastic trash wrapped around his neck. The object, which resembled a drain cover, restricted the fox’s movement and made it difficult for him to eat and drink. As sightings increased and concern from the community grew, multiple attempts were made to safely capture the fox.

The rescue effort began in early May, when a concerned citizen named Donna spotted the fox and left a voicemail with the Center. A few days later, another community member, Wendy, confirmed a second sighting. Then, on May 12, a local resident named Haley noticed what she thought was a mangy fox kit in her yard when an adult fox—the entrapped male—appeared. Haley set a humane trap in hopes of capturing the adult, but he vanished for several days.

The search continued until May 17, when the Center received a video of the fox from another community member, Debra, who began her own trapping efforts. Her persistence paid off, and after several weeks of sightings and near-misses, Debra successfully captured the fox in mid-June. The rescue was truly a community effort, with neighbors working together to ensure the fox received help.

On admission, the fox was quiet but alert and responsive. The veterinary team anesthetized the fox and performed an exam, noting that he was thin and moderately dehydrated. Then they got to work removing the object around his neck, using a pair of shears to carefully cut through the plastic. Fortunately — and surprisingly — the fox was uninjured.

“When we see an entrapment case like this, we worry about underlying trauma or skin damage that might not be immediately visible,” explained Connor Gillespie, the Center’s Director of Outreach. “The longer the entrapment, the worse the injuries can be. But in this case, while the plastic object was too snug to fall off, it was also flimsy and loose enough not to cut into the fox’s skin. It’s strange to say, given what happened, but the fox was lucky. It could have been much worse.”

Staff noted that the object was likely a broken piece of a French drain. They believe the fox may have curiously poked his head inside, only for him to become trapped when part of the drain dislodged.

After removing the object, the veterinary team provided fluids to address the dehydration and closely monitored the fox throughout the day. The fox recovered well from anesthesia, and within just a several hours, the veterinary team determined he was ready for release. One of the Center’s students, Simon, returned the fox to where he was found later that same day and captured a video of the release.

“This case is a great reminder of how important public involvement is in wildlife rescue,” Connor said. “It took weeks of effort, countless phone calls, texts, and a whole lot of patience — and it helped save a life. We’re grateful to everyone who made this rescue possible.”

If you’re a resident of Albemarle County, keep your eyes peeled. You might just catch a glimpse of a familiar Red Fox exploring your neighborhood — only this time, living wild and free once more.