Mikayla Raines - a well-known wildlife rescuer and YouTube creator - has died by suicide at the age of 29, her husband confirmed on Monday.
Raines was the founder of Save A Fox, a Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of captive-born foxes and other exotic animals.
Since its founding in 2016, the organization has grown significantly, gaining over 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube and expanding operations to Florida.
But in an emotional video statement posted to social media on June 24, her husband, Ethan, said Mikayla had been the target of sustained online harassment, which he described as coming from individuals both inside and outside the wildlife rescue community, including people she once considered close friends.
“They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her,” Ethan said. “She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.”
Mikayla's interest in wildlife rescue began early. At age 15, she started volunteering with a licensed rehabilitator, which helped shape her eventual mission to provide sanctuary for animals that would otherwise face euthanasia or exploitation.
Ethan shared that Raines had been managing several mental health conditions, including depression, autism spectrum disorder, and borderline personality disorder, according to The Mirror. He explained that the symptoms associated with these conditions had been significantly worsened by online bullying.
“She was never in it for fame, money, or personal gain,” Ethan said, per The Sun. “She was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known.”
He also spoke about the impact of her life’s work, describing her as someone who spent “every waking hour” helping animals, whether by assisting a snapping turtle on the roadside or rescuing foxes from fur farms.
“She was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty,” he said.
Following the announcement of her death, tributes poured in from members of the wildlife rescue and animal welfare community.
The Instagram account for Juniper the Fox, one of the most well-known rescued foxes online, wrote: “So many in our community have foxes that only came to us because of Mikayla’s dedication to her mission and empathy toward animals. We will all carry a small piece of her light that lives on through them.”
Another wildlife rescue organization, @kinkatopia, added: “She has been a force over the years and is truly: The Mother of Foxes [...] I feel it's time for us to speak up. Cyber bullying needs to stop.”
Mikayla Raines is survived by her husband, Ethan, and their daughter, Freya.
Our thoughts go out to her family and loved ones at this time.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.