AN orphaned fox cub with his eyes still closed is being hand-reared after being rescued by the RSPCA.

The two-week-old cub was found by a member of the public on a driveway near Sandgate Farm, in Grange on Monday.

A man spotted the fox at 9am and monitored him throughout the day hoping the mum would return for him - but when she didn’t he called the RSPCA.

Animal rescuer, inspector Martyn Fletcher was sent to the scene to collect the cub who was then transferred to the care of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Nantwich, Cheshire, where he is being hand-reared by staff.

Martyn said: “In these circumstances the mother will probably have been moving her cub to another location and may have dropped him but they usually return to collect them.

“The man who spotted the cub did exactly the right thing in monitoring him to see if mum would return for her youngster but sadly she didn’t and so he called us for help.”

The cub will now be cared for at the RSPCA centre where he will be fed with a special puppy formula to replace his mother’s milk until he is strong enough to eat solids. Once he is independent he will be released back into the wild.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “We are so grateful to any member of the public that takes the time to contact us about animals they fear need help.

“However, it is important to remember that not all young animals need rescuing and many would be better off being left where they are and monitored for as long as possible as the parents are usually nearby.

“Our advice is that if you see a lone baby wild animal, unless they are obviously injured or in immediate danger from predators or traffic, monitor the situation from afar as they may not need rescuing. Young animals have a much greater chance of survival if they remain with their mothers.

“If you find a fox cub on their own and their eyes are open, the cub is probably fine – the parents will usually be nearby. Leave a supply of dog food and water nearby and check again after 24 hours. If the cub is in immediate danger – on a road or somewhere very exposed – safely move the cub to a sheltered, safe spot nearby, handling the cub as little as possible.”

Foxes that become used to humans do not survive in the wild and cubs should only be taken into captivity as a last resort. Where possible the RSPCA will try and return the cubs to where they were found to see if mum will come and collect them as they will always do better with mum.

If you find a fox cub that’s injured, sick, in immediate danger or has their eyes closed then please call the RSPCA for advice on our cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999. More information on fox cubs can be found on the RSPCA website.