Wilma the fox returns to wild after rehabilitation

WARRENSBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A Warrensburg woman is certified by the state to rehabilitate foxes. NEWS10’s Carina Dominguez was there for the release of one on Friday.

Wilma the red fox looked scraggly just eight weeks ago. She had suffered from mange when someone contacted North Country Wild Care. Wilma’s fur has grown back and she’s now at a healthy weight, all thanks to Paula Sheridan. 

“What happens with mange is they lose the ability to regulate their body temperature and they’re extremely itchy. It’s a horrible disease which will eventually kill them,” said Sheridan, who is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. “And Wilma probably would not have survived another week or two had she not been caught, she was that bad.” 

She cares for animals until they’re ready to return to the wild, and on Friday Wilma was ready. 

Normally, the animals scurry off into the woods as fast as they can. But with Wilma, it was a little different. She stopped and looked as if to say, ‘Thank you’. 

“She knew, she knew we were helping her,” said Sheridan. The feeling she gets seeing another animal returned to the wild brings tears to her eyes. 

“Phenomenal, it was just so rewarding, even today to watch her runoff. It was just so rewarding to know what a difference we made in this girl’s life,” said Sheridan. 

She wants the public to know if you see a fox during the day, that looks scruffy, is missing hair and is itchy, it doesn’t mean it has rabies or needs to be put down. She wants you to know there is a simple cure and to call an expert.

“Animals don’t have a voice so to be their advocate and to help when we can it’s just a tremendous honor,” said Sheridan. 

She urges anyone who comes across a sick fox, or any animal for that matter, to contact the DEC or other experts, like North Country Wild Care by calling its hotline at 518-964-6740.