This video is continuation of the journey into the heart of the forest, which started with the Injured Badger, but continued with fox parents raising their cubs. My goal was to monitor the fox den, with the hope of witnessing the magical moments when the proud fox parents would introduce their adorable cubs to the world.
It started as spring blossomed, and my trail camera revealed a heartwarming sight - the fox parents diligently returning to the den with their hunting spoils. It was a telltale sign that they had a litter of cubs inside, and my excitement grew as I anticipated the day when these curious little beings would venture outside to explore their surroundings. With the desire to capture every endearing moment, I installed a second trail camera at the den entrance, eagerly awaiting the cubs' grand debut from multiple angles.
Here's the video: • Second Trail Camera Se...
However, nature had other plans in store for us. On that fateful day, while the fox parents were away on a hunting mission to feed their hungry offspring, an unexpected visitor emerged - a marten, presumably a European pine marten (Martes martes). Little did I know that this would lead to a heart-wrenching tragedy. The marten made its way into the den and mercilessly attacked, killing one of the helpless cubs. My trail camera captured the scene, and it was a sight I would never forget - the marten emerged from the den, carrying the lifeless furball in its jaws.
But the marten's insatiable hunger didn't end there. It returned to the den, robbing another innocent cub of its chance at life. As I watched the footage, my heart sank witnessing the young cub's futile struggle to escape the predator's grasp, only to meet the same tragic fate as its sibling.
The sorrow extended beyond the animal kingdom, as the trail camera revealed the heartbreak of the fox parents when they returned to the den. Their grief was palpable as they circled the area, desperately searching for their lost cubs, their bewildered expressions mirroring human emotions.
In the aftermath of this devastating event, the fox parents made a difficult decision - they abandoned the den that was once their sanctuary. Perhaps the weight of their loss was too heavy to bear, or maybe they sought a fresh start away from the haunting memories of their fallen young.
As the painful reality of nature's brutality settled in, I removed the second trail camera I had set up, realizing there would be no cubs to film from different angles. The original trail camera remains at the now deserted den, as I keep my hopes high that another animal reclaims it.
Despite the heartache, I know this how the cycle of life in the woods goes round. Yes it is harsh, but it is a reminder that all creatures are part of the grander tapestry of nature. They each play their role in the intricate dance of survival.
In this instance, the forest witnessed an ironic twist as a lesser predator, the marten, preyed upon the young of his formidable foe, the fox. In this wild realm, grief and loss are as much a part of existence as joy and triumph.
Join me on this emotional journey, where we bear witness to the bittersweet moments of life in the wild. Despite the tragic interruption of the fox cubs' story, the forest perseveres, holding within its depths the poignant tales of struggle and resilience that shape the lives of its inhabitants.
00:00 Disclaimer
00:11 Seen Before @NoPhoneMan
00:37 Second Trail Camera Removed
01:13 Fox Den Sad Story
01:48 Lesser Predator Discovers the Den
02:22 Devastated Fox Parents
03:02 Fox Parents Abandon the Den of Horror
03:36 Trail Cam Video of Marten Killing Fox Cub
03:55 Marten's Death Grip on Baby Fox
04:08 Marten's Second Kill
04:59 First Fox Parent Looks for Missing Cubs
05:50 Second Fox Parents Gets the Shocking News
06:16 Both Fox Parents at Den After Losing Their Cubs
06:47 Marten Returns to the Den Two Days Later
07:02 RIP Little Foxes