Fox Collection

 

A  number of people have previously offered to pick up dead foxes to deliver them for post mortem and while the offers are appreciated things are never that simple (if only).

 

Firstly, a good few reports are received but there is no “proof of fox” or no photo to show that there IS a fox and its position, etc. A photo can tell us a lot and it also shows where the fox is located. That makes it easier for Zoe Webber to get to and check out the fox.

 

As I work until 0400 hrs some times on fox issues I do not get to trawl groups so I miss any “for Terry Hooper’s attention” in posts.  A direct FB message is always best and I thank those who have contacted me to let me know.

 

If a fox has been reported to the Council they are VERY quick in picking up fox carcasses and they go to Avonmouth waste depot where they cannot be deemed safe as disposal to an incineration company can happen at any time there is no special rule by which they can hold on to a carcase so unless a body can be collected asap we’ve lost it.

 

With a message and photo we can generally see whether a fox body matches our criteria and Zoe can go out and check it in situ –checking for broken limbs or other injuries that might make it an RTA (road traffic accident victim). Once it has been given a thorough examination it can either be bagged for taking to have a post mortem carried out or the council can be alerted so that their street cleansing team can get to work.

 

The vital points are:

 

1) location and photo 

 

2) on site examination –this needs to be by someone with experience such as a vet, veterinary nurse or someone experienced in dealing with injured animals and knows what to look for. There is only one pathologist and inundating him with obvious (to us) RTA foxes is pretty much going to tick him off as well as PM Services who are paying for post mortems.

 

It would be nice to have a group of experienced drivers but we have what we are stuck with. Two foxes at two different locations on one day might clash with someone’s busy work day or one of the collectors may be ill –basically, fox bodies turn up at the most awkward times (that has been proven beyond any doubt).

 

It is sad when a fox or foxes turn up dead but we need to always make sure that we get the right ones as so many (far too many) are killed by cars –more than through other things such as poisoning.

 

So far we have learnt that not every fox can be gotten to and examined or collected and that is something that is annoying due to having lost what might be evidence of disease or poisoning –even RTA foxes teach us something.  We get some and lose others but until June of this year no one was paying attention so it is not a case of giving up but learning to not get frustrated such as when we have to let foxes numbers 14 and 15 go.