A WILDLIFE hospital is appealing for the public’s help to find the babies of a ‘mama’ fox that has sadly died after being found injured in Benfleet.

South Essex Wildlife Hospital were woken by a call from a “very kind lady” who had brought in an injured fox.

The fox was found on Bread and Cheese Hill in Benfleet and had three fractured legs and “likely internal injuries”.

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Sadly, it had to be put to sleep.

Echo: Sad - Mama fox put to sleep after suffering severe injuries Sad - Mama fox put to sleep after suffering severe injuries (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

South Essex Wildlife Hospital said there was evidence of the fox lactating, she was heavy with milk.

They are now appealing to find her babies in Benfleet.

A spokesman said: “The hospital has been so busy with casualties Tom and Sue are barely getting any sleep.

“Many of the out of hours calls are not genuine emergencies and this is really taking a toll on our vet and manager.

Early this morning however they were awoken by the kind of call that absolutely justifies disturbing their beauty sleep.

“A very kind lady on her way home from night shift found a fox in the road, got her husband to help and bought the fox to the hospital in the boot of her car.

“Sadly, the fox had 3 fractured legs and likely internal injuries so had to be put to sleep. Even more upsetting is the evidence of the fox lactating, she was heavy with milk.

“Mama is not coming home to her babies.

“The vixen was found on Bread and Cheese Hill in Benfleet, Essex, she possibly lived in the nearby woodland, but they can travel quite a distance in the search of food for their family so if anyone lives in this area, is aware of a den location and hasn’t seen an adult fox attending, please give the hospital a call on 01375 893893.

“During breeding season many thousands of offspring perish when parents are killed or injured.”