Kildare Animal Foundation Wildlife Unit highlights cruelty of illegal traps as fox is badly injured by snare

Taking to social media, Kildare Animal Foundation's Wildlife Unit said: "This fox was snared using an illegal snare. He was going around with it wrapped tightly around his body as it cut into him for at least 10 days. A kind family in Clare who knew the fox reached out for help and thanks to Bev Truss at the Hogsprickle and her npws ranger he was trapped and had some vet care before coming to us."

The Wildlife Unit said: "The amazing team at Botanic vets then worked on him to clean the wounds and are currently taking care of him as he needs daily bandage changes. A special thanks to Amy and Laura for all their help with the wildlife that we send them. They are a very important part of our team. If you would like to donate towards his care please call Botanic vets on (01)8375543 or PayPal wildlifekaf@gmail.com." Fox hunting is legal in Ireland and foxes are not a protected species, with supporters often citing it as a form of pest control. Hunts must be registered and take place at only certain times of the year. Last month Kildare Gardaí oversaw a major campaign stamping down on the illegal hunting of wild animals, warning people not to hunt on farmland around Co Kildare and Wicklow. Meanwhile, the Kildare Animal Foundation Wildlife Unit is also busy caring for a young orphaned badger cub that they are hand-rearing after the tiny creature was found last week by a dog off a leash. The Wildlife Unit also cares for birds, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, and many other wildlife. [caption id="attachment_270146" align="alignnone" width="225"] This adorable badger cub was admitted to the Wildlife Unit last week and he is currently being hand reared by volunteers[/caption]