francene--blog. Year 2013
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Oct 23rd

10/23/2013

 
Picturewww.treknature.com
Red foxes have successfully colonized urban areas throughout the world including a place near me—and probably you. This animal is the largest of the true foxes and the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America and Asia.

The animals that first settled into United Kingdom towns and cities as far back as the 1940s have increased to an estimated 33,000. There are thought to be 16 foxes per square mile in London alone. In rural areas, the fox can live for up to 15 years, but life expectancy in urban areas is much shorter and most only survive for about two to three years, with cars responsible for the majority of deaths.

Many people dislike urban foxes, blaming them for biting babies and killing penguins at London Zoo. However, I've often read about others feeding them and treating them like pets.

Dealing with UK urban foxes is complicated. They are protected under a series of wildlife laws and it is only permissible to control numbers in very limited ways. Even then methods such as shooting often aren't appropriate in urban areas.

But there are a small number of experts specializing in dealing with them in ways that will not harm the animal. The humane deterrence squad are getting up to 50 calls a week from people who need help but don't want the fox harmed.

A fox's territory can cover up to 40 acres and in urban areas can include up to 400 gardens.  Apparently, killing foxes is pointless in urban areas because another one will quickly take its place when they notice the scent mark is gone. The humane approach is about disturbing a fox's normal behavior and, crucially, moving it to another part of its territory. This means its scent will still be left around the area so no other foxes will move in. You'd have to ask the experts about their method of ensuring the fox remains in their new accommodation.


Picturewww.new-forest-national-park.com
Common complaints about foxes can usually be narrowed down to mess, pungent-smelling faeces, digging holes and noise. They screech when they fight over territory or female foxes during mating season. I've heard them at night, especially in winter or early spring, calling across the road from our bedroom. The horse chestnut trees shelter wild scrub along the road. Behind that, fields dotted with occasional spreading oaks stretch as far as the eye can see. Wonderful country for these wild creatures.

Britain has some of the highest-density fox populations in the world but they cause remarkably few problems. There are many benefits of having foxes in urban areas, including being nature's pest controllers when it comes to rats and feral pigeons.

Human beings can't exist in isolation. A large colony of wasps has lived inside our roof for the last few years. They don't pose a threat to us, and play an important role in reducing the numbers of flies as well as pollinating crops. We live together in peace. Considering the harmonious workings of nature, foxes play an important part in the whole too. If we continue taking out what we don't like: squirrels, foxes, and badgers, we will lose everything else that contributes to the ecosystem.


Amy link
10/22/2013 09:49:33 pm

Francene, Such an interesting post. We've had trouble with foxes preying on our chickens from time to time, and though I resent their taking out an occasional chicken, I wouldn't want to do away with them entirely. They are smarter than the usual predator, though, and absolutely beautiful, with their reddish coloring and fluffy tail.

Francene Stanley link
10/22/2013 10:41:22 pm

I know what you mean, Amy. We have to make adjustments if we're to give wild creatures a chance to live alongside us.

Renee link
10/22/2013 11:04:39 pm

I used to watch a red fox run across the road every morning as I drove my children to school...after s couple of years, I saw him dead on the side of the road..it was such a loss to me... We also had a white fox living in the hedge of my yard when we first moved in..but someone shot him down the street...we were sick about it.

Francene Stanley link
10/23/2013 03:08:41 am

How sad to lose animals you'd become accostomed to in such tragic ways. it's wonderful to hear about your connection.

Catherine James link
10/22/2013 11:08:00 pm

I remember years ago I was out at Girl Scout camp and several of us were hiking, we came face to face with a Red Fox. To tell the truth I'm not sure who was more scared. But I managed to catch a fleeting picture and still have it in my scrapbook. He was a beautiful animal.

Francene Stanley link
10/23/2013 03:09:53 am

How great to be able to remind yourself of this meeting. You probably wouldn't be so scared now--you're bigger.

Jeni link
10/22/2013 11:24:41 pm

Great post, like you say too many people are quick to say lets get rid of them without understanding the important role they play with the local eco-system. I`m a vet nurse and love foxes xx

Francene Stanley link
10/23/2013 03:10:54 am

Great to hear about a vet nurse's perspective. Thank you so much for sharing.

Amy Putkonen link
10/23/2013 05:47:58 am

I love the foxes. So beautiful and elegant. I sed to teach in Southampton and one time we did a field trip at a badger center. It was such a cool place. We don't have badgers where I live in Minnesota, US. If they do live here, we don't talk much about them. That one trip made me love badgers for my lifetime.

Francene Stanley link
10/23/2013 06:43:05 pm

So glad you were able to see some of England's wildlife. I love them too, being originally from Australia, where animals are so different.

Alana link
10/23/2013 09:23:43 am

A couple of years ago my husband and I were walking on our local rail trail. It was a day when the weather wasn't good and we were the only people walking in that area. There was a flash of grey and both of us are certain we saw a wolf. It was a little frightening but also thrilling. We do not have foxes in our urban area (that I am aware of) but we do have deer, raccoons, skunks, possums, and even bears.

Francene Stanley link
10/23/2013 06:44:27 pm

Wow! Bears are awesome. They would give me the serious shivers of danger. A wolf is frightening enough.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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