(NewsNation) —  An abandoned newborn fox has a chance for life thanks to a Richmond, Virginia, wildlife shelter, and an innovative way to ensure the animal won’t develop a dependence on its human rescuers.

“One the biggest challenges wildlife rehabilitation is making sure that hand-raised animals do not imprint on humans,” says Richmond Wildlife Center founder and director Melissa Stanley. “We don’t want them to recognize humans as a source of comfort or for food.”

So, when the center received the newborn, Stanley says it was touchy.

“When she arrived to us, she weighed just 88 grams, and she still had her umbilical stump attached and her eyes were sealed. My concern was that, since she arrived with her eyes sealed, she’s never seen another fox before. She never got to immediately see her mom — imprint on her mom. Even though vision would be blurry, I wanted to conceal my identity.”

Hence the fox mask. She says it’s a common practice in wildlife rehabilitation. “I know that researchers in China are wearing full-on costumes for pandas.”

Stanley tells NewsNation Now her group has used masks when dealing with eagles, owls and other birds of prey. “The last thing you want is one flying down and trying to ask for food.”

Stanley says part of the credit goes to a generous donor who paid for the fox mask.

“We put a plea out on Facebook. A generous donor went on our Amazon Wishlist, which is where we found this creepy mask.”

For now, the story of this newborn fox, which are known as “kits,” has a happy ending. Stanley says they moved her to another rescue facility. “She was able to integrate with some other fox kits so that she can learn to be a fox.”