British Fox Study Appeal -Taxidermy Specimens

Above: French export owned by Onyx Stewart.

The British Fox Study was set up in 1976 by noted British naturalist Terry Hooper-Scharf. The study set out to look at the natural history of foxes in the UK and has now moved on to looking at specific traits in current fox populations such as coat colouration and physical differences in appearances.

To carry out this work it has become necessary to try to find out whether there are any Old fox types still in existence –even if this is DNA diluted through breeding with introduced foxes..  For that reason we need to find taxidermy specimens of foxes from as far back as possible but pre 1900.

The foxes were known by three main names: the Hill/Greyhound fox, known to inhabit hills and higher ground. There were then the Common or Cur foxes and the tallest of the foxes was the Mastiff fox.

Many museums had their natural history sections thrown out during the Second World War and so there is no alternative but to ask anyone who may have specimens identified by these names or just specimens date pre-1900 whether it is a family heirloom, old style hunting trophy or whatever. If you have such a specimen then you can help by taking photographs of it side on (full body), the head (from the front and side) and, importantly photos of the tail.

If the study can obtain such images then it will help and may lead to further more scientific testing.  If you can help then please email Terry Hooper-Scharf at:

blacktowercg@hotmail.com.