The young fox was found on March 4, wandering through a communal garden near Steedman Street, Elephant and Castle, with no sign of its mum.
The concerned resident attempted to reunite the cub with its mum by placing it in a cardboard box at a safe location nearby.
This is considered the best course of action for potentially orphaned fox cubs, as it gives them the best chance of survival.
However, after the mother failed to return, the resident contacted the RSPCA.
Animal rescue officer Paige Havlin made a second attempt to reunite the cub with its mother the following evening.
Despite showing curiosity and making several visits to the location, the mother did not take the cub back.
Paige said: “This fox cub was in a precarious position and could easily have perished without the help of this lady who followed correct advice from the start by leaving the cub in a cardboard box outside with food and water to see if his parent would take him.
“We tried again to reunite the cub and its mother the following evening but sadly without success.
“A fox we suspect was the mother visited the spot around six times and approached the cub.
“But she was very skittish and while she ate the food we left out for her she did not take the cub.”
After searching local gardens for fox dens and finding none, the decision was made to take the eight-week-old cub to South Essex Wildlife Hospital on March 6.
The hospital staff are now caring for the cub among a group of fox cubs, helping him build up the skills to survive on his own.
He will be released back into the wild when he is ready.
The RSPCA has reminded the public that not all fox cubs found alone have been abandoned.
Vixens often move their litter one by one if the den is disturbed, so it is possible to spot cubs alone.
However, in this case, it was clear the cub was in danger and had been alone for some time, so the resident did the right thing by intervening.
Paige added: “We are so grateful to the local resident who took time trying to help a fox cub that was clearly in distress.
“However, it is important to remember that not all wild animals need rescuing and are better off being left where they are and monitored for as long as possible.
“If anyone finds a fox cub on their own and their eyes are open the cub is probably fine and the parents are usually nearby.
“It is best to leave a supply of dog food and water and check again in 24 hours.
“If the cub is in immediate danger on a road then try to safely move the cub to a sheltered spot, but handling as little as possible.”
The RSPCA advises the public not to handle or transport fox cubs as they can become aggressive when stressed or injured.
If anyone finds a fox cub that is injured, sick, in immediate danger, or has its eyes closed, they should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
More information about fox cubs can be found on the RSPCA website.
The RSPCA is also encouraging the public to participate in their “Animal Futures: The Big Conversation” initiative this March, to have their say on the future of animal welfare in the country.
