AWRE: Smokey the Grey Fox

Smokey the Grey Fox
	On the 29^th of October 2003, this burnt and injured Gray Fox was spotted in what was left of the branches of a burnt-out tree near the corner of Mt Baldy Drive North and Shinn Road by a SCE biologist, who in turn reported the sighting to the Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA. Senior Humane Officer Bill Taber IV immediately responded to the call and captured this Gray Fox. On arrival Officer Taber found the Fox literally up a burnt out tree. The Gray Fox had climbed to the highest branches in this tree in a failed attempt at escaping the flames of the wild fire which destroyed everything insight. To look at what was left of this once beautiful land made one think of a war zone, anyone that was there will never be the same, this I can guarantee.
Nothing but burnt trees and shells of what once were homes. Now to top that situation off, this burnt out tree was perched on the side of a cliff and not very stable in any sense. In order to save this Gray Fox, it became a combined, united effort between the Southern California Edison crews and the Inland Valley Humane Society. SCE provided a crane with operators who in turn put Officer Taber into a bucket and raised him over the side of the cliff, high into the tallest remaining branches of this tree, where he quickly rescued this poor Fox. On examination, it was determined that this animal suffered extreme burns and needed specialized treatment and care.
The Gray Fox was sent to us for rehabilitation. This Gray Fox had severe second and third degree burns on all four feet. The burns were so intense and severe that one could not determine where one paw pad started and the other ended. The feet were just a mass of burnt, necrotic tissues. Dave started a regimen of antibiotics and placed this Gray Fox, who we now have affectionately named “Smokey”, in a specialized habitat inwhich the flooring was kept covered with thick quilts and lamb’s wool blankets to soften and lessen the pressure and friction of Smokey’s feet against the floor. AWRE made Smokey’s release an event for all concerned. We made arrangements to have Smokey’s finder, as well as Officer Bill Taber IV, meet Dave with Smokey at the Inland Valley Humane Society facility They then caravanned to the exact same spot Smokey was located and completed the rescue mission by releasing Smokey back into his natural home on November 22nd, 2003. As you can see in the pictures below, Smoky was sure happy to be back home and free once again.



"If you talk to the animals they will talk to you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them. What you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." Chief Dan George *562.434.0141 - 379 Newport Ave Ste. 302 Long Beach, CA90814*