SPRING has sprung and babies are the order of the day at an Essex animal rescue centre.

Annie Davidson

SPRING has sprung and babies are the order of the day at an Essex animal rescue centre.

Wildlives in Thorrington has welcomed three fox cubs, a Leveret (young hare) and three baby rabbits to its ranks recently.

Owner Rosie Catford said the fox cubs - Adele, Duffy and Ronson - were found in a garden in Bishops Stortford with two other siblings who died before they reached the centre.

“They were dehydrated, very cold and less than 24 hours old,” she said.

“They were on the brink of death - unfortunately their mother must have been killed.

“But all three are doing really well now although they all need feeding every two hours through the night so I need some sleep!”

She said Adele, Duffy and Ronson, who were bought in on Sunday, would eventually be released back into the wild.

On Thursday, a home owner bought in the baby rabbits - named Snap, Crackle and Pop - after accidentally digging up their burrow.

Ms Catford said the trio's mother would have abandoned them because they had been handled and they were bought into Wildlives to be cared for.

And Lily Leveret was newborn when she was captured by someone's cat in Braintree and injured.

Ms Catford said: “She had a few teeth marks and things in her but she has been treated for that.

“Spring has come a bit early this year and at that time of year we are inundated with baby animals - you name it, we get it.”