Wildlife Wednesdays: Baby Fennec Foxes Get First Wellness Exam at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital

Have you had a chance when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see any of our animals being examined or cared for in our veterinary hospital? Guests visiting Rafiki’s Planet Watch earlier this month were able to witness a momentous occasion – our three baby Fennec foxes’ first check-ups.

Similar to most first wellness exams, the foxes’ exams included getting their eyes and ears checked, their overall condition assessed and receiving their vaccinations. The exams showed that the kits (baby foxes are called kits) are in great health, thanks to excellent care by their parents, and, of course, Disney’s animal care team.

In the wild, Fennec foxes live in the deserts of northern Africa. While they aren’t currently threatened with extinction, they may become so if their population is not closely monitored and protected. A big threat to the foxes is being trapped and sold as pets. One way all of us can help wildlife conservation is to choose our pets wisely, which includes not taking animals from the wild.

The foxes were born April 8 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Lori Bruckheim, one of our zoological managers, reports that the kits are now eating solid foods and are extremely active. They are currently being raised by their parents in a backstage area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom under close observation by the animal care team.

The breeding was a recommendation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is focused on sustaining the Fennec fox population. For more on Disney conservation efforts, visit www.disney.com/conservation.