Buddies

An owl chick and fox cub have built up an unlikely rapport after each was rescued from attacks by predatory birds.

The fox was found cowering in woodland, his foot injured and magpies circling overhead. The tawny owl fell out of her nest and was dive-bombed by crows. Both were taken to Heronfield Animal Rescue Centre in Knowle, West Midlands.

Mitch Withey, who runs the centre, says that the four-week-old owl hops over to the fox and cuddles up to him. The cub nuzzles her back. “They seem to like to be in each other’s company. But we keep a close eye on them because anything can happen when a wild fox and tawny owl are together.”