Depressing Figures

 Total KNOWN dead foxes and badgers up to 10 04 2026

 Foxes 93

Badgers 30

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection

 In the paper Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection Pyometra bij een vos (Vulpes vulpes) veroorzaakt door een infectie met Staphylococcus   pseudintermedius;  Dierengezondheidszorg Vlaan in Red Foxesderen (DGZ), Industrielaan 29, B-8820 Torhout Stefan.Roels@sciensano.be, submitted by N. Caliskan, A. Vandekerckhove, E. Rolly, E. Forrez, S. Roels, it is noted that:

"An adult female fox found dead in a field in Flanders (Belgium) was brought in for autopsy. The uterus was remarkably enlarged with dilation of the right horn tip and dilations of the myometrium of the left horn. The lumen of the uterus was filled with greenish-yellow pasty contents. Bacteriological examination of these contents resulted in a pure culture of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. 

"The diagnosis of pyometra caused by S. pseudintermedius was made. Pyometra in wild canids has rarely been described. It is assumed that the cause of death is similar to that in dogs, namely septic shock. According to the authors, this is the first described case of closed pyometra with isolation of S. pseudointermedius in an adult fox".

Before it was officially suppressed, the Bristol Fox Deaths Project founas d a number of never before noted health issues with foxes. Pyometra was not one of them although I suspected a case in the Midlands in 2021 may have been. Others we can only look back on and wonder whether they were pyometra cases. No study similar to that in Bristol had ever been undertaken in the UK -a dead fox was a dead fox and held no interest for vets as it was after all a wild animal with no one footing the bill for a necropsy.

Looking back at my notes it is possible that there were other cases but not sub mitted for necropsy as no one was available to collect.

It now appears, if the vet is correct, that we have such a case from Bristol. Fox health and welfare is still in early stages but there is hope!

Was it a paid for study in disease spread in foxes?

I have waited since the 16th March, 2026 for a response from Bristol University regarding the very prevalent rumour that its old Mammal Group deliberately spread mange in the fox population. See https://foxwildcatwolverineproject.blogspot.com/2026/03/was-mange-deliberately-spread-in.html    

I have never known any organisation so unwilling to just scrap rumours like this. I have tried to get a response from Bristol University since 2020. Nothing.

Is it possible that they were responsible for the decimation of all but 6% of Bristol foxes? I have no idea but it has often been mooted that foxes in the UK being spread out in towns, cities and countryside (despite falling population numbers) are the ideal animal to monitor to see how  disease might spread. 

Although we have not had rabies (apart from travellers returning infected from outside the UK) since the 1920s in the UK there has always been rabies scares -as in the 1970s. "How fast could rabies spread in the UK from an infected fox?" Well, hopefully no one is insane enough to test that!  

In the paper The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) as a source of zoonoses Valeria Letkova et al note:

  

"The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widespread and abundant predator on earth, living in almost all habitats of the Northern Hemisphere, such as woodlands, mountains, deserts or even suburban and urban environments. Moreover, the red fox is the main carrier and vector species of the most important endemic zoonoses, as fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxocara canis and nematode Trichinella spp. This makes the fox a highly controversial and emotional species with great potential public involvement and of fundamental importance as far as management issues are concerned."

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widespread and abundant predator on earth, living in almost from VETERINARSKI ARHIV 76 (Suppl.), S73-S81, 2006 

all habitats of the Northern Hemisphere, such as woodlands, mountains, deserts or even suburban and urban Although most studies in the 2000s are looking at parasite spread for various reasons in the pre 2000 era virulent disease was a concern. Was mange used as a substitute for rabies to see how fast it could spread? 

The big problem I have is how the mange in 1994/1995 spread throughout the Bristol fox population as quickly as it did. Foxes are territorial and so do not travel all over a city and one the size of Bristol would need an infected at the centre of population in North, South, East and West Bristol for it to spread so fast and quickly.

Was it a paid for study in disease spread in foxes?

Incompetent Wildwood Trust Kent Slaughters Wolf Pack

  Another establishment which is so badly run that it decides to slaughter an entire wolf pack. How long will this go on/

Wildwood in Kent should be banned from keeping any wolves in future.

The statement:

Those who have visited the park will be aware that the wolf area has recently been closed.

There has been a severe escalation in aggressive behaviour within the Wildwood Kent wolf pack, resulting in multiple life-threatening injuries.

Due to the volatility within the pack, our team has been unable to safely intervene or provide the level of veterinary care required.

We are deeply saddened to share that, following this serious and rapid breakdown in pack dynamics, the decision was made to euthanise our wolf pack this morning.

This decision has been made following detailed discussions between our experienced animal management team and veterinary professionals.

Anyone familiar with Wildwood's work will know that animal welfare is always our highest priority. Euthanasia is only ever considered as a last resort. Over a prolonged period, extensive efforts have been made to manage the pack, support individuals, and prevent escalation. However, the situation presented an ongoing and unacceptable risk to welfare, and we were no longer able to ensure the safety or quality of life of the animals within the group.

The park was closed during this time to allow this to be carried out safely, calmly, and with the respect these animals deserve.

This is an incredibly difficult moment for our team. We are all heartbroken. Many of our staff have cared for these wolves over a long period of time, and this loss will be deeply felt.

We appreciate your understanding and compassion.

The Wildwood Trust team.

Shame on Germany To Allow Wolf Killing

The above image went out with the news item and gives the impression of savage and dangerous wolves.

 Typical that hunters/farmers with money and politicians in their pockets should succeed. This will mean many wolves killed as shooters claim "They were a threat to livestock".

Germany is fast losing its reputation for environmental and wildlife conservation.  It is always "re-introduce them" then "Too many -kill them!"

 Germany is moving toward allowing wolf hunting after its lower house of parliament passed a controversial law aimed at managing the country’s growing wolf population.

The decision comes after a sharp increase in wolf numbers over recent decades and a rise in attacks on livestock, which has fueled pressure from farmers and rural communities.

The new legislation would make it easier to shoot wolves, especially in areas where repeated livestock killings occur, marking a major shift from the country’s previous strict protections.

The move has sparked intense debate, with supporters arguing it’s necessary to protect livelihoods, while conservationists warn it could undermine decades of recovery for wolves, which had once been driven to extinction in Germany before making a comeback.

Was Mange Deliberately Spread in Bristol in 1994/1995?

 To start with; this is not an accusation but notes on rumours Bristol University will not respond to.

(c)2026 respective copyright owner

I have repeatedly asked Bristol University for access to its now defunct mammal group (led by Prof. Stephen Harris) papers on foxes. I either get silence or am told that I do not qualify for such access. The British Fox Study started in 1976 and continues today which, obviously, is far longer than the Bristol Uni study.

Most of the old Uni study data featured in books by Prof. Harris but a great deal remains archived (IF we believe what has been written).

Who funds Bristol University ?

• UK Government & Research Councils: Funding for research and infrastructure comes through bodies like the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), and Research England.
• Tuition Fees: Income from UK and international student fees, managed through student finance systems.
• Endowments & Donations: The university holds numerous endowment funds established by benefactors, which are invested ethically to support research and scholarships. Approximately £70m held in endowments.
• Alumni & Philanthropy: Support for research and entrepreneurship is provided by donations from alumni and friends.
• Industry Partners: Research grants and collaborations with external commercial organizations. 

My interest lies in the fact that over a period of 10 years I have received emails/messages from

 people who worked at or were connected with Bristol University. Each one notes that "it was

claimed" that the mammal study introduced mange (which killed approximately 95% of the Bristol

urban fox population.

The Mammal Group noted that for an "unknown reason" one of their radio collared study foxes 

suddenly left the City.  And "suddenly" it re-appeared and had mange which was studied as it 

spread throughout the fox population.  Each of the people who contacted me stated that this was work 

funded by a UK government office to see how fast a disease/virus *such as rabies) could spread

throughout urban fox populations.

I asked Bristol University to refute the claim and release any data gathered on such a major

outbreak that almost wiped out foxes in the City. They have refused on every occasion which, 

obviously, means that the rumours and suspicions continue. 

WHY the silence?

Helper/Aunt Vixens

 

 (c)2026 respective copyright owner

I've mentioned "Aunt" foxes before and how foxes living in a leash (a family group) help vixens out with cubs. Here is an explanation of one way they do that.

Vixens (female red foxes) acting as wet nurses is a phenomenon known as alloparenting or "helper" behavior—often occur in social groups where young females (typically daughters from the previous year) stay with the breeding pair to help raise the new litter. The hormonal mechanisms driving this behavior involve the same hormones responsible for biological motherhood, primarily prolactin and oxytocin, often stimulated by the presence of cubs and social factors.

Here is the breakdown of the hormonal role:

• Prolactin (The "Mothering" Hormone): High levels of prolactin are essential for initiating and maintaining lactation in mammals. In sub-dominant helper vixens, the presence of kits and the social structure of the den can trigger increased prolactin production, enabling them to produce milk even if they have not given birth themselves.

• Oxytocin (The "Let-Down" Hormone): This hormone triggers the contraction of mammary glands, ensuring the expulsion of milk during nursing. It is released in response to the tactile stimulus of nursing (suckling).

• Alloparental Lactation Stimulation: The "helper" vixen may be induced to lactate by the high levels of progestin (progesterone) and estradiol during the breeding season, coupled with the stimulation of seeing or caring for the cubs.

• Behavioral & Hormonal Bonding: The act of grooming, hugging, and sitting with the cubs is crucial for bonding and potentially triggers the necessary hormonal responses, including a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, which helps the vixen feel comfortable nursing, even if they aren't the primary mother.