Fox wiles way into ambassadorship

Life expectancy for a blind fox is pretty short.

But life expectancy for a blind fox that has wormed his way into the hearts of wildlife workers in Nebraska and Colorado could be as long as 15 years.

This is the story of Nova.

The kit, as a young fox is called, was discovered in a Bellevue yard in April, said Laura Stasny, a rehabilitator and board member of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Inc. He was about a month old. And it was immediately apparent that something was wrong with his eyes.

The rehabilitators had a use for the young male — to be a companion to a young female fox that had been turned in to the rehab organization. The two foxes were put together so they would learn about being foxes rather than become human pets.

So Nova, the blind kit, and Pinball, the zany female kit who lived up to her name, were together for the summer. And even though Nova's vision wasn't improving, the pair got along great.

However, the time came for Pinball to be released into the wild. The two foxes were separated, and Pinball was released near the penned area where Nova was still living. Every night, Pinball would come back, and the two would sleep next to each other on opposite sides of the fence.

The rehabilitators knew the pair would have to be completely separated, Stasny said, because it was important for Pinball to learn to make a life for herself in the wild.

So they took Pinball to private property, where she was released again. There, she is doing well.

That left the rehab staff with another problem, though: what to do with Nova, the now-6-month-old, 10-pound blind fox. There was no chance that he could survive in the wild.

No one is sure why Nova is blind. He may have a congenital condition; he may have been injured. But his sight will never improve.

Ordinarily, such an animal would be euthanized, Stasny said. However, Nova had served an important purpose.

“Generally, I'm pretty good about not getting attached to wild animals,” Stasny said. “But this guy has done us a service in keeping Pinball from getting habituated to people.”

Stasny checked with Dr. Tanya McIlnay, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Although there was no way to restore Nova's sight, she said, a simple procedure — to relieve the pressure behind his left eye — would allow him to live pain-free.

Being assured that Nova wouldn't be in pain if he were allowed to live, the rehab organization looked for a place where he wouldn't be caged but would be protected and fed.

Officials found such a place on Colorado's Front Range. The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, which houses carnivores that can't be released in the wild, agreed to take Nova.

Although the sanctuary is home to tigers, lions and bears, it also has smaller animals. Nova will move into a one-acre fenced area with another red fox.

On Wednesday, Nova was taken to Dr. Keith Halsey at the VCA veterinary clinic at 64th and Center Streets in Omaha. Nova was treated for parasites (obtained because he has been raised on a natural diet), got his rabies shots and other immunizations, was neutered and microchipped, and underwent the surgery to relieve the pressure on his left eye.

Next week, Stasny will drive Nova to his new home in Colorado, where he will slowly be introduced to the other fox.

At the sanctuary, Nova will be used to teach children about animals in the wild. Since he is fairly tame around humans, he should be successful at that job, Stasny said.

“I'm hesitant to talk about an animal not being released into the wild because wildlife belongs in the wild,” Stasny said. “This is a very rare circumstance. He has adapted to his handicap and can be a good ambassador. He will be teaching people about wildlife.”

And he will live as free and as long as it is possible for a blind fox to live.

Contact the writer:

444-1067, carol.bicak@owh.com

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