Issue 3

Urban Foxes

Life in the big city can be tough, and I don’t just mean for us humans. Despite being one of the most difficult environments to live in, some carnivores take advantage of the not-so-natural resources our cities have to offer. Although most carnivorous species avoid urbanised areas, some populations have no choice but to adapt as their natural habitat is replace. Others actively seek human settlement, with the hope of finding easy food and shelter. Medium sized carnivores such as coyotes, Eurasian badgers, raccoons and red foxes can achieve higher population densities in urban environments than they would do in natural conditions.

 It has been suggested that Vulpes vulpes, more commonly known as the red fox, is one of nature’s most adaptive wild carnivores due to its expansive geographical range. They have been found in many of the world’s harshest environments such as deserts, tundra, and as of the 1930’s, large cities. They were the first reported non-domestic carnivores to be found dwelling in the cities, and since then urban populations have been thriving.

 

Where are Foxes staying?

            To reside permanently in the city, fox populations need both day-time resting sites and nesting sites, also called earths. This makes small, concentrated gardens seem an unlike hide, however, older inter-war housing could potentially fill the foxes requirements. These houses often have established gardens, with natural cover such as bushes and shrubs, and are often owned by older residence, meaning fewer children and fewer disturbances. Earths have also been discovered under the floorboards of both derelict and occupied houses in Bristol, showing these foxes are no strangers when it comes to living around humans.

 

What are Foxes eating?

            One of the biggest benefits to life in the city is the food. Human refuse and other anthropogenic food sources make easy meals for hungry foxes. Having such a diverse diet, city foxes can dine on synanthropic rodents, road kill, fruit, pets, livestock and food we are putting out deliberately as well as unintentionally. It has been found that up to 60% of an adults urban foxes diet could be made up of antropogenic food (food we produce). The availability, as well as the seasonally suitability of these food sources makes them more than worth the risk of city life.

 

Conflict in Paradise?

            In February this year, Denny Dolan, a four-week old boy was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital after a fox attack left him with a serious hand injury. Stories about how dangerous foxes are appeared in the papers almost instantly and as normal, people panicked. Boris Johnson even went as far as to call them a “menace”.

This is the first attack since 2010, were two 9-month old girls received arm and facial wounds. In fact, the Telegraph has only managed to find five UK fox attacks within the last 11 years, none of which resulted in death. This figure is nothing compared to the number of dog attacks, animals most of us would consider a part of the family. It is understandable that the victims’ families are upset and in truth any animal attack is a terrible thing to happen to a child, but can we really brandish all foxes with the same brush. In fact, there are over 34,000 red foxes living in Britain, with only 13 to 14% living in urban areas.

After the latest attack, Denny’s parents called for a fox cull, a notion supported by several politicians. However, wildlife experts are dismissive of the idea, calling it unworkable and expensive. It must also be considered that humans are not the only injured party in this conflict. Foxes face the risk of road accidents and increased disease spread due to their higher density. In the US, urban red foxes are also hunted for their fur.

It has even been suggested that human reaction to urban carnivores could be partly to blame for such attacks. If the animals become used to human presence, they can loss their sense of fear. By backing away or ignoring the animals day to day, it could make them less inclined to avoid us. In both attacks mentioned above, even screaming and lunging did nothing to deter the fox. Also, the availability of food so close to human dwelling is a tasty prospect for those brave enough to risk close encounters.

Foxes are not completely off the hook however. They are also responsible for disease, damage to property and pet mortality. The fact remains that these foxes are wild, carnivorous animals and can cause problems in urban areas. But as ever we approach upon their territories without stopping to consider the consequences. Our cities don’t seem to stop growing and when faced with the prospect of die or adaption, we must surely realise that animals that can adapt, will.