The Fox Study & Suspicious Fox Deaths in Bristol

 

Regarding the foxes found dead in Bristol under unusual circumstances.

Some had internal yet no external injuries and these have been listed as likely road traffic victims who wandered around before dying.

We THINK.

Previously there have been foxes that died unusually and with no one willing to carry out post mortem examinations we lost all probable evidence of poisoning (which seems certain in some cases) and possible disease in others. Two fresh foxes we had which met our criteria were lost where they were stored –a vet practice where staff did not follow protocol and a council waste management site where the fox was stored and marked as “do not remove” but someone did remove it and it was evidence lost. We do know that other foxes collected by Bristol City Council were ‘lost’ since it was confirmed they had collected the bodies but officially denied having done so and then broke off all contact with the Fox Study without explanation.

We know that we lost fresh carcasses to taxidermists. If a fox is found dead on a road, shot or its cause of death obvious then those are fair game to taxidermy. However, perfectly intact foxes should not be taken for a very good reason.

Two out of three foxes accepted for post mortem were found to have some internal problems but more importantly they displayed jaundice. That 2 out of 3 displayed this is significant as the odds are against such an occurrence especially in two foxes from different parts of the city. Tests have been carried out and specific diseases negated. However, the pathologist obviously has concerns over the jaundice and others are being consulted. It means that we have no idea what that jaundice might indicate and for that reason a fresh fox carcase may look good to a taxidermist but should NOT be removed from where it is found not just because it is potential evidence of poisoning but potential evidence of some new disease (and I write that not trying to start a panic but making sure that it is understood that we have no idea what is going on at the moment but it certainly is not poisoning).

If you know of any Bristol based taxidermists please let them know that any such foxes (not shot, RTA etc) should be left where they are and that they should message me asap so that the carcase can be picked up for examination. If –IF- this is a disease then carting the carcase around is going to do more harm than good.

It is hard to be any more certain since this is a post mortem scheme for foxes not underway anywhere other than Bristol and wider implications are unknown but that this is being viewed more seriously than it was in June based on the post mortems is worth noting.

People finding collapsed, sick or dead foxes in the Bristol area ONLY should contact Secret World 01278 783250 or email reception@secretworld.org for advice or for dead foxes message myself and take a photo of the dead fox as found so that it can be assessed for pick up and PM submission.

Thank You