Yes, Fox Numbers ARE Declining

I keep hearing the "so you say" when declining fox numbers are mentioned. This is no personal fantasy and there are a number of organisations who have noted the decline over the years. It is just a fact that 99.9% of people have no interest in looking up the data or even care about wildlife.

The British Trust for Ornithology looking at mammal monitoring during its survey noted https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/breeding-bird-survey/latest-results/mammal-monitoring

Three mammals have declined significantly: 

• Rabbit (67%)
• Mountain/Irish Hare (61%) 
• Red Fox (48%)

In the case of Red Fox, there is some regional variation in their decline; in the south-east and south-west of England, there are 25-year declines of 30% and 56% respectively, but in the east of England, there are signs of a potential recovery.

That East of England recovery is arguable. 

It has to be taken into account that the SE of England is more heavily populated and traffic heavier so the high number of losses to cars would, we assume, be higher and that is worrying based on the current death rate in just Bristol.

Our Fox Deaths Project is also showing the high number of foxes falling victims to pneumonia, leptospirosis and babesia. Cub deaths are assumed to also be high since nursing vixens killed by cars or other means would result starve.

Numbers of foxes in the countryside are declining because every night the 'big hunters' go out to shoot whatever they can and if the numbers they claim to kill (brag is more like it) then it is no surprise. 

At the current rate I have no doubt that in 20 years time even the town foxes will be in decline and only urban badgers will exist. The UK is "The Bloody Island" when it comes to wildlife.