Acadia Wildlife Center announced the passing of its education ambassador
BAR HARBOR—The Acadia Wildlife Center announced Friday that Ruby, a red fox, and education ambassador for the center, has died.
“Those of you who were fortunate enough to have seen her in person know how special she was,” the center said. “She was the embodiment of flash in the pan. She brought such joy to all that met her, and though her time was short, she made a lasting impact in our hearts.
In memory of Ruby, nature photographer George Sanker and Acadia Frame Works have donated a framed photograph. At the end of October, it will be given to one random monthly recurring donor to the center.
Ruby’s path to education ambassador began with illness. For more than thirty years, on just 15 acres by Acadia National Park, the wildlife center has maintained a clinic for wildlife native to the area in need. Ruby was one of those animals in need.
”When she was a very young kit, she came into our colleague’s clinic Critterville with an extreme eye infection and likely signs of congenital abnormalities. She was then transferred to Acadia Wildlife Center to be an Education Ambassador. In spite of the fact that she ended up losing one eye to the infection, was undersized, and had an underbite jaw, she had the spirit of ten foxes.”
Because of her injuries, she could not be released back into the wild.
“But she could be an amazing education animal and so she was for over a year. From the first day we had her in our care she was full of energy, curiosity, and heart,” the center said.
Ruby’s death occurred overnight after a day where she had been “her normal energetic parkour-performing self.”
Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation performed a necropsy.
“Though the cause of death was not identified (things that are on the microscopic level, in the blood or small congenital defects are not able to be found in a necropsy), we suspect that her death was due to possible congenital abnormalities,” the center said.
“Our work is extra hard in times like these. We do our best with patients to be clinical, not get attached, do what is in the best interest of the individual. With our ambassador animals, it is another story. We are able to see their individual personalities and fall in love. Though times like these are crushing, they are an inevitable part of what we do. We are able to see our injured patients heal and go free. We are able to see the impact that our education animals have on people. We have the great honor of loving and caring for all these animals,” the center wrote.
The center has special education permits from the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the federal government for animals like Ruby.
There is no charge to come into the nature center, but they welcome donations.
“We receive no funding other [than donations] from any other source including state or local government, or Acadia National Park,” it says on Acadia Wildlife’s website. “In addition, wildlife conservation receives only 1% of philanthropic giving nationwide.”
Begun by Coleen Doucette in 1994, Ann Rivers became the director of the center in 1997, continuing until she passed the reigns to Tony Mullane, her son, in September, 2023.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Brochures of Maine.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Acadia Wildlife can be reached at (207) 288-4960 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to its website, 9 to 5 according to its sign.
You can register for its events, read its blog, and get the latest from Acadia Wildlife Center on its brand-new website!
To donate directly click here.
How to tell if an animal needs help.
Acadia Wildlife’s Facebook page
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