Foxes in Ireland

 

Photo (c)2021 Conserve Ireland

__________________________________

According to Conserve Ireland:

"The red foxes’ spread to urban areas is not a threat to domestic cats and dogs and is generally welcomed by people who leave food scraps for local foxes in their back gardens. Irish red foxes are only afforded the most basic legal protection under the Wildlife Act."

And:

" They benefit cultivated areas as they reduce the numbers of crop damaging rabbit and rodent species. They have long since been considered as pests as they prey on some local populations of domesticated poultry and on ground nesting game birds during the nesting season. They will indulge in surplus killing if they gain access to pheasant or chicken enclosures so adequate fencing of such areas is required. They are considered a threat during the lambing season although it is more likely foxes will scavenge dead sheep and lambs instead of actively hunting them. The fur trade in the past accounted for large numbers of fox deaths as their pelts were highly sought with shooting and trapping used as recently as the 1970’s and 1980’s. 35,000 fox pelts were exported from Ireland each year during this period. Organized hunting by horses and hounds still occurs in some areas."

There is no mention of the exporting of foxes from England to Ireland nor of the political drama when English hunts paid for foxes stolen from hunt in Ireland -questions were asked in the House!

The British Canid Historical Society has shown that foxes in Ireland and England have a somewhat shared history. We would very much like to hear from any naturalists or zoologists who have studied fox history on the isle. Also, we would be very interested in any pre 1900 photographs of Irish foxes and even more interested if anyone possesses mounted (taxidermy) foxes or masks (heads) and can share photos of these.

THANK YOU