STAFF at the South Essex Wildlife Hospital have shared a moment when a vixen returned to reclaim her four lost cubs in a story that – in a week that has seen its share of sadness – ended happily.

It's the time of year when the Orsett-based hospital is inundated with fox cubs and, only yesterday (Tuesday, 24 March) Thurrock Nub News reported on a group of seven brought in for rescue after their mother was killed.

They are now recovering well, having been cleaned up from the paint they were covered in. And an eighth cub was added to the group as he was the same size!

Then six more, initially thought to be orphaned cubs, were brought in by a builder who had found them under a shed that he was dismantling.

Staff at the hospital explained the importance of allowing a vixen a chance to move her her babies and the builder consulted with the householder and agreed to return them to the site.

It was also apparent two of the cubs were at least a couple of weeks older than the other four, there must have been two different vixens raising their cubs in the den.

A team from the hospital took the cubs back to the site last night. Within 10 minutes the two larger cubs had been claimed. And, after a nervous wait and the playing of a distressed cub's call via a mobile phone, another mum turned up and reclaimed her cubs!

The magical moments as the mum lifted the cubs from the box they had been put in have been shared by the hospital (see video).

If you are moved by the work of the hospital and would like to help, you can make a donation via the following link.