Obituary Fuchs Elli
The year of the fox
Our clever Elli has closed her kind eyes
In the year of the fox and in memory of our deceased fox lady Elli, I would first like to talk about how foxes think and act. The sly, funny fox has appeared in fairy tales and legends for centuries. The fox is regarded as a symbol of cunning, deception and adaptability. Foxes are survival artists and play an important role as health police in the forest, as they eat weak and sick animals.
Foxes are perfectly adapted predators and belong to the canine family. Foxes live both as loners and in pairs or families. The original forest dweller can now also be found in other habitats. They can be found in semi-deserts, on coasts, in high mountains and in large cities. The fox finds edible waste in gardens, backyards, parks and rubbish bins.
However, the fox has still not shed its fear of humans. And that’s a good thing, because their home is not the city, but the forest.
Baby fox in distress that could not be released into the wild
Whether something had happened to Elli’s mumor whether the little one had got lost in the forest, we didn’t know in 2011. A forester noticed the baby fox and took her home to his children. The children fed Elli with puppy milk every two hours. However, it was only possible to look after little Elli, as the children had christened her, during the Easter holidays. Elli had human odour on her body and could therefore no longer be released into the wild. It would have been too dangerous for her in the wild.
Man, the fox’s greatest enemy, became Elli’s greatest friend
The children at Gut Aiderbichl were worried and asked if they could leave little Elli with us and if there was someone here who could feed her every two hours. Anna, an experienced Gut Aiderbichl employee with many years of experience, was able to ease the children’s worries about Elli. The only condition the children set was that Elli should continue to be called that, as the children had baptised her with consecrated water. So much love and care made the fox baby Elli live to be 14 years old.
Elli could no longer be released into the wild
So she remained under the protection of Gut Aiderbichl for 14 years. She lived in a specially built fox den, which gave her access to the large fox enclosure at night. Elli loved her foxhole, where she could hide and sleep during the day. It was only when she heard Anna coming that she became lively and delighted in the question: “Where’s Elli, my darling?”. Anna, the fox mum, as she is known beyond the borders of Henndorf, was allowed to pick Elli up, scratch her tummy and massage her ears. The two of them had a very special relationship for many years.
Elli was eight years old when another foundling came into the foxhole. It was Stella, who had been found with bite wounds in a farmer’s garden. Once again, Anna knew what to do. Stella was fed every two hours, even at night. Elli had decided to become the little fox cub’s best friend. The two spent six years together.
After 14 years, Ellis’ life light began to flicker
In the last few weeks, however, Elli signalled that she was getting on in years, that she was slowly becoming weaker and ailing. Elli was therefore given medication, vitamins and love. Anna’s care was Elli’s highlight. And despite all her care for Elli, Anna sensed that her favourite was saying goodbye. The two had become a symbiosis, Anna understood the language of her animals.
In the end, day turns into night
Elli’s farewell was as special as the fox is. Mysterious, quiet and elegant, our clever fox took in her surroundings once again.
The weather was glorious at the weekend and – contrary to nature – Elli spent the day in the outdoor enclosure and enjoyed the warm spring sunshine. She also retrieved a hidden egg from under a stone.
It was also special and different that Elli snuggled up to Stella and slept next to her. Outside her usual foxhole, she cuddled with her young friend Stella as if to say “I’m going to go, take care, dear friend”.
Quiet and peaceful farewell
Anna held Elli on her lap as she slowly fell asleep. Everything was very quiet. Nothing could be heard. Just the soft weeping of the people around dear Elli. Stella lay down to sleep and perhaps cried into her paws? She mourns the loss of her friend.
(...) "What does tame mean?" asks the little prince, the fox replies: "It means to familiarise". (...) As we say goodbye, the fox says: "Here's my secret. It's very simple: you can only see well with your heart. The essentials are invisible to the eyes".
– Antoine de Saint – Exupéry
Dear Elli,
It’s sometimes hard to find the right words. You were so special and always encouraged me to tell visitors about the life of the foxes. How important you are in the forest and how ruthlessly humans are making your natural living room smaller and smaller.
I will not stop saying that the beautiful fox fur belongs on the body of the animals and not on the body of a human. I’ve often noticed you squinting your eyes – “Yes, tell them. Again and again!”
All the keepers and especially Anna and Stella are brave, but they are crying for you. A great, unforgettable one has gone. Enjoy the huge forest on the other side of the shore.
Mach’s gut, liebe Elli.
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
