A wildlife rescue charity owner has been left “absolutely devastated” after the death of a fox that was rescued from freezing snow by a gritter driver.
The young animal was discovered at the side of the road close to the Bridge of Dee on March 2, and was rushed to a vet for emergency treatment.
It was found to have suffered from a fractured pelvis, and had received buckshot wounds.
The fox was then taken to The New Arc animal sanctuary near Ellon, after a kindly farmer cleared the entrance to the snowed-in charity.
The organisation’s owner Keith Marley named it Marvel, because of how amazed he was it had survived, and for the past month The New Arc has been nursing the poorly animal back to health.
Although Marvel had shown signs of recovery, last week it was found to have suffered a fresh injury to its pelvis, resulting in internal medical problems which led to its death on Friday night.
Mr Marley said: “We’re absolutely devastated.
“Marvel had stopped eating, which we at first did not think anything of because we just thought he was full, but we grew concerned and got the vet in.
“We ruled out any diseases, but he just wasn’t his usual self, and he slipped away in the night on Friday.
“Afterwards, we discovered a small bot of blood on the fencing, which matched an injury on his pelvis – he must have hurt himself on the fence.
“It’s great to tell the success stories of New Arc, but it’s also important to remember that sadly, not every story has a happy ending.
“On a positive note we’re taking care of two other foxes, Nanook and Queenie, who look to be recovering well.”