Yes, Even Wildlife Rescues MUST Take Action

 

Excluding the jaundice/seizure deaths the number of cubs being reported dead this year is beyond what I would expect. This may be down to better reporting but the thing that has staggered me is that rescues tell me that they get dead cubs reported every year but don't submit them for post mortems.  

Fox Angels have submitted two Scottish cubs but a third was turned away today so was disposed of.

We have a fox population that is already in sharp decline and even the British Trust for Ornithology declared that it may be time to Red List foxes. What I am seeing nationally is far more losses of cubs than expected and some may be dying because their mothers were shot by 'fun' shooters who do not care so long as they kill something. Others may be dying from over burden of worms, verminous pneumonia (lung worm) or other causes.  What we are seeing in Bristol is far from normal. 

If a death is suspicious then the Animal Plant Health Advisory can carry out a post mortem at one of its centres. When I am being told that a cub looks healthy but it died and when I see photos showing the same then those cubs should  be submitted because it is far better to find a cause of death and possible disease early and be prepared.   

We know so little about foxes and where studies do take place it is for a specific reason. What we are doing in Bristol is looking at the dead foxes and from various angles such as disease, infection, etc., etc.  That should be standard across the country.

There is one rescue that goes out and collects dead foxes reported and...bury them on their property.  Others simply will not submit a dead fox "to be chopped up" and I try to explain but...  One recently had a jaundiced, seizure cub that they put into an incubator. I politely asked that if the cub did not make it to submit it for PM. They just are not talking.

What can we do? 

Rescues need to understand that unusual deaths of foxes in particular need to be investigated and I have seen one unusual case after another around the country and in every single case the fox was "put to rest" in a garden or on the grounds.  We are dealing with a crisis across the board with wildlife and foxes are a good indicator of environmental health and so far the indicator is pointing to the Red for Danger.

We all need to take responsibility and act responsibly.