Foxes

WRAS receives numerous reports from the public regarding foxes, with limping being a common concern. Not all limping foxes require immediate care. Foxes that can bear weight on the injured leg typically heal with time, as it is often just muscle damage. Similar to humans, recovery can take over six weeks. During this period, supplementary feeding can help ensure the fox receives enough food. However, continuous feeding is not recommended as it may shrink the fox’s territory and lead to a loss of access to natural food sources.

Basic fox facts

• The Red Fox, scientifically known as Vulpes vulpes, is the UK fox.
• Despite being part of the dog family, foxes exhibit cat-like behaviors.
• Foxes, as omnivores, hunt alone and consume rodents, insects, worms, fruit, birds, eggs, and various small animals. Rabbits and mice make up about 60% of a red fox’s diet.
• Similar to cats, foxes often play with their prey before killing it.
• Red foxes can run at speeds of up to 48 km/h (30 mph).
• The average lifespan of a fox is 18 months, but they can survive up to 10 years in the wild.
• Foxes have exceptional hearing and can detect a ticking watch from 40 yards away.
• Foxes have almond-shaped pupils instead of round ones.
• Breeding occurs from December to February, with a gestation period of 52-53 days. Red foxes typically have 2-5 cubs once a year in spring, with only 2-3 cubs usually surviving.
• While foxes are sometimes labeled as vermin, they are not officially classified as such by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
• Fox screams can startle people, leading to mistaken calls to the police, but they are simply fox communications, particularly common during autumn dispersal of juveniles and the breeding season from Christmas to late February.
• Studies in southeast England show a 12% decrease in the fox population since 1998.
• The risk of contracting diseases from foxes is minimal. Canine rabies, once prevalent in the UK, disappeared naturally in 1906 and has since declined across most of Europe. Parvo-virus and distemper have never been reported in UK foxes.
• Pregnant women are often cautioned about toxoplasmosis, a parasite found in various animals, including humans and birds. While it can affect different body parts, no fatalities have been recorded, and simple hygiene measures can prevent infection. The primary host for toxoplasmosis in the UK is the domestic cat. All infections, both to humans and other animals, are derived from that source. It cannot be contracted from foxes.

Mange foxes

Foxes can be affected by mange mites, which are found in long grass and can be picked up by anything moving through grass.

“Mange” refers to mite infestations, with different species being affected by various mites. For instance, the Sarcoptic Mange Mite can impact foxes, dogs, and hedgehogs, but not cats.

If your dog has mange, it might not have contracted it from a fox, as the mites are commonly found in grass. Regularly treating your dog with a spot-on parasite treatment that also addresses mange can prevent mange infestations. If you have concerns, consult your veterinarian.

There are several products available, including Beaphar FIPROtec® Spot-On for Small Dogs (2–10kg), containing fipronil to treat mange, which can be obtained from veterinary clinics, over-the-counter and even on Amazon.

Unfortunately, there are no licensed prescription treatments for the public to administer to wild foxes for mange treatment.

Homeopathic Mange Medication:

Some organisations recommend the use of Homeopathic medication arsenicum 30c and sulphur 30c or psorinum 30c given on a daily basis. There are various homeopathic supplies on line where this can be purchased.

Garlic Treatment for Mange:

Garlic can also be used – by crushing a clove and concealing it in food like jam or peanut butter sandwiches to be fed daily – foxes generally dislike the taste of garlic, so it needs to be well hidden.

There are concerns that garlic may be harmful to dogs and, by extension, to foxes. However, this is not entirely accurate and is based on the fact that onions are toxic to dogs. Unlike onions, garlic does not contain high levels of n-propyldisulfide, making it much safer for dogs in small amounts. For further details on the safe use of garlic in dogs, click here.

Please be aware that although we do have a couple of traps for catching severely covered mange foxes, they are frequently in use and do not always manage to catch the target fox.

Limping foxes

Foxes holding a leg off the ground should be observed closely to monitor how the leg is being used. If a leg is raised while running but placed on the ground while walking, there is generally no cause for concern, but it’s important to keep an eye on it to prevent any worsening. This could be a soft tissue injury that typically heals without the need for rescue and captivity stress.

Foxes holding a leg up with the foot dangling out of control and flopping from side to side likely have a more severe injury and will require capture. A leg held out to the side or at an unnatural angle also warrants capture. Rescuing foxes with these injuries can be challenging and frustrating. Despite moving slowly, foxes can show bursts of energy when in danger, fueled by adrenaline.

Providing supportive feeding to encourage an injured fox to visit regularly can aid in capturing the fox. This approach allows rescuers to consider using a cage trap. Long-term feeding of foxes is not recommended.

If you notice a limping fox starting to bite the lower leg or foot, becoming more lethargic, struggling to sit or walk without staggering, or collapsing uncontrollably to one side, contact WRAS promptly for guidance. Video footage can be beneficial, so if possible, contact WRAS for advice on sharing it with their Care Team for improved assistance.

Road casualties

Foxes can be dangerous to handle, and it’s occasionally our rescuers do get bitten by foxes that are in pain and scared.

When you encounter an injured fox on the road, here’s what you should do:

• Park your car safely to protect both the fox and yourself from traffic.
• Turn on your hazard lights and approach the fox cautiously to check whether it is alive – without getting too close. If you see the fox move or notice its chest rising as it breathes, it’s alive. Contact a rescue service immediately for help.
• If it’s not safe to stop near the fox:
  • When it’s safe, turn around and drive past the fox slowly with hazard lights on to check for any signs of movement or breathing.
  • If unsure or if the fox is alive, contact your local rescue for assistance.
• If the fox is a danger to traffic:
  • Call the Police at 999 for help.

If you encounter a fox that seems alert or is moving, observe it from a distance without trying to catch or control it; maintain a safe distance. If the fox is alert, try to prevent it from moving towards traffic or other hazards, but avoid getting too close. In the case of a collapsed fox that doesn’t respond to your presence, consider covering the animal with a blanket or similar item to help combat shock.

Please do not attempt to put an unconscious fox into your vehicle unless you have a suitable carrier that will not permit it to become loose. We have attended several calls where the fox has come round in a vehicle, this can be dangerous for occupants of the vehicle as well as other road users.

Foxes caught in snares

Foxes caught in snares, entangled in netting, or wire should not be freed and released immediately. It is crucial to call for help promptly, as these situations are considered emergencies. Applied pressure or rubbing on the skin from items like ropes or snares can lead to pressure necrosis, which may not be visible at first but can manifest 24-48 hours later if left untreated. It is essential for these animals to receive observation and care for a minimum of 24 hours to ensure their safety and well-being. Ligature wounds and pressure necrosis have the potential to be life-threatening.

Seek assistance promptly. Try to cover the animal with a blanket or a large towel, ensuring a safe distance to prevent any bites. If the fox is caught but can still move, it might be best to step away and let it be. Avoid standing too near the animal and keep noise levels low to prevent scaring the creature.

Foxes caught in stock fencing

It is a relatively common situation when a fox gets caught in a wire fence. Sometimes, when a fox jumps over a wire fence, one of its legs can get tangled in the top strand of wire, causing the wire to twist around the leg and trap it in the air, leaving the fox hanging. It is crucial to handle this situation as a snare injury – DO NOT CUT THE FOX FREE! Stay calm, quiet, and maintain a distance to prevent further distress to the fox. If the fox is in a suitable position, you can try covering its head with a large towel, but it may be challenging as the fox is hanging rather than lying on the ground. Call for help immediately, and rescuers will safely secure the fox, then bring it in for an evaluation of the leg and potential hip injuries.

Dead foxes

East Sussex WRAS does not handle the removal of deceased foxes, unless foul play is suspected. Property owners are responsible for disposing of any deceased foxes found on their premises. Local councils or veterinary centres might offer assistance with disposal. To report a dead fox on the road, contact your district, borough, or city council as they are legally required to handle the disposal of roadkill animals. For additional details, visit our informational page on “Dead Wildlife.”

Finding apparently abandoned cubs

Fox cubs are frequently discovered in gardens, parks, and fields, where they are unexpected during the daytime. It is typical in spring for vixens to relocate their offspring from one den to another. In order to do this they normally carry their young one at a time. If the distance is lengthy, the vixen will use a half way point, depositing her young in tall grass, under shrubs, behind obstacles or similar to hide them. At times, this process may extend beyond a single night, leading the young to remain concealed halfway through the day.

If you discover multiple fox cubs concealed in your garden amidst tall grass or bushes, it’s best to leave them undisturbed unless they appear visibly unwell or injured. In such cases, seek advice to ensure their well-being. If uncertain, WRAS might send someone to assess the situation without jeopardizing the cubs’ relationship with their mother.

If you find a cub which is wondering aimlessly round your garden during the daytime or staggering then you should place the cub in a box if it is weak enough for you to catch. Alternatively place a box over the top of the cub trapping it in your garden or leave it alone but keep an eye on it and call for help and advice.

If you are not sure then please call and we will attempt to attend and check them.

It is possible to re-unite cubs with their mums on some occasions, depending on the situation. This is not always successful but does frequently work.

Feeding foxes in your garden

WRAS advises against regularly feeding foxes in gardens due to the issues it can lead to. Foxes, like all animals, will reproduce to match the available food supply. While the occasional food offering is acceptable, excessive feeding can create problems. In one garden WRAS staff visited, a man was providing four large bowls of food nightly for the foxes. Over time, the number of foxes visiting increased from 3 to 9, causing concerns among neighbours. Some residents were unhappy with the damage caused by attracting foxes to the area, leading to complaints and involvement of pest control who resorted to shooting the foxes. If you choose to provide scraps occasionally, ensure it is in moderation to prevent dependency. By offering food infrequently and in small amounts, you avoid potential issues if the feeder is unable to continue for any reason like illness, vacation, relocation, or passing away.

Relocation / Removal / Deterrence

Trapping, moving, and releasing a wild animal into an unfamiliar area without taking reasonable steps to guarantee its future welfare is considered an offence.

The removal of any unwanted species from an area is only a quick fix solution which won’t last long. It is best to look for long term solutions to the problem or you will end up wasting much more money as a result.

Shooting and or removing unwanted wildlife does not solve the problem of why that species visits. Rarely are animals on their own so if one fox is shot or relocated it only opens up a new area for others to take over. Wild animals generally control their breeding based on suitable environment, food and water sources, shelter, and access to other animals of their own species. So, if you don’t want a fox visiting you need to think about why it would be visiting and remove that reason. This could be because you are putting food out for your cat or hedgehogs for example or food falls from a hanging bird feeder and they clear up the debris. It may be because there is a gap under your shed which provides them with a warm and secluded spot to sleep. Removing an animal visiting for one of these reasons will only serve as a gap for another to come in and take over. So very quickly after shooting or relocating a fox another will just take its place and you will be back to square one.

Deterrence is by far the better long-term solution. It is not always simple but in the long term it works better and is generally cheaper too.

To discuss on-site, call-out consultancy services call:

Fox-a-Gon on 0208 925 9639 or www.fox-a-gon.co.uk will undertake everything from small household gardens to schools, sports clubs and corporate properties, and are specialists in fox proofing large areas where chemical deterrence on its own might be insufficient.

Humane Wildlife Solutions specialise in small, finite urban and suburban gardens and may be contacted on 07771 361226 or by E-mail: info@humanewildlifesolutions.co.uk, http://humanewildlifesolutions.co.uk.

For those who prefer a DIY option, The Fox Shop stock and provide the most effective deterrents and may be reached on 0208 2266 293 and https://www.thefoxshop.co.uk/