The Fox
The Fox(Vulpes Vulpes)
History
The red fox is native to the British Isles, and widespread throughout mainland Britain. Its opportunistic ability to adapt to available food sources has made it a successful species. However this adaptability has also brought it into conflict with people. In rural situations, such problems can arise where livestock or game animals are kept. The adaptable nature of the red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) has made it a very successful resident of many British towns. Although people often enjoy seeing foxes around their homes or in parkland, foxes can cause significant damage and nuisance. Foxes have only limited protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 but are protected from abuse and ill-treatment by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.
Habits
Foxes eat a wide range of foodstuffs. Their diet includes small mammals, birds (including eggs), reptiles, insects, earthworms, fruit, vegetables and carrion. In urban areas, about a third of their food is scavenged or deliberately provided by householders. Foxes readily store their food, usually by burying it in the ground. Although foxes are predominantly nocturnal, it is not unusual to see urban foxes out during the day.
Urban and Rural Control Methods
Legal methods
There are a number of methods of fox control that may legally be used. These include baited cage trapping, Shooting and snaring.
Prohibited methods
It is illegal to use self-locking snares, any bow or crossbow, any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm, or a live decoy. It is also illegal to poison foxes. No fumigant compounds are currently approved for the gassing of foxes. The Hunting Act 2004 makes the hunting with dogs of wild mammals, including foxes, illegal. This includes deliberately using dogs to chase foxes away from gardens, allotments etc. It does not include cases where the dog chases the fox when its owner does not intend it to do so. The Act contains a few tightly drawn exemptions intended to allow certain necessary pest control activities to continue, but these are very unlikely to apply in urban areas.