Longleat Safari Park has announced the heart-wrenching news of the death of Dot, a seven-month-old fennec fox who had been hand-reared by the park’s dedicated team. The announcement coincides with a tribute set to air on the BBC’s Animal Park, bringing her short but impactful story to the nation.
Dot was found unresponsive in her habitat, leaving her keepers devastated. Alongside her sibling, Other, Dot was hand-reared from birth after their mother, Zuri, struggled to care for them. Despite months of careful nurturing and a gradual reintroduction to her parents, Dot passed away just months shy of reaching maturity.
Speaking about the loss, Catriona Moy, Team Manager of Animal Adventure and Lakes, highlighted the challenging nature of raising baby fennec foxes. “Sadly, 60 per cent of young fennec foxes don’t survive to adulthood, so we always knew raising baby kits would be a challenge,” she said. “The third episode of Animal Park airing on Wednesday, 18 December, shows the love and care given to both Dot and Other by their keepers. It ends with a montage of images announcing Dot’s death, which we felt was the most fitting way to share this news with people.”
The park has asked for privacy and respect for its keepers, who are deeply grieving the loss of Dot. The tribute on Animal Park is a poignant reminder of the dedication of Longleat’s team and the fragility of life in the animal kingdom.
Dot’s story, though brief, captured the hearts of staff and visitors alike, leaving behind cherished memories of a life that will not be forgotten.
