Is it possible to keep foxes in wildlife parks and zoos? | |||
Can foxes be kept in species-friendly enclosures in wildlife parks and zoos? Yes, it can be done but requires a lot of planning. Keeping foxes in an enclosed space can provide us with information on how to handle that wild animal, the fox. The enclosure must be large enough, appropriately designed and with the right sort of vegetation so that foxes can lead their natural way of life. Well structured, open areas are essential including loca-tions where foxes can withdraw and rest. Species-friendly fox-keeping must also provide for living in groups and supply suitable food. | |||
< questions | links > | Ever since foxes came to live
in our settlements residents have been faced with a lot of new issues that arise
when living with a wild animal. In this context wildlife parks and zoos can provide
important information on how we should behave towards foxes. Both family animal and loner In favourable environments such as urban areas, foxes live in family groups. Within these groups usually only one of the pairs reproduce while together with the cubs other adult foxes continue to live in the same territory. As foxes are social animals they should not be kept alone. Nonetheless, when foraging for food foxes usually prefer to be alone without being bothered by another fox.
Omnivores that love fruit, berries and garbage A fox will wander through its territory looking for food and eat anything it happens to find. Its range of foodstuffs encompasses animals such as small mammals, birds, carrion and insects as well as a vegetable diet such as berries and windfalls but also includes household refuse. In some cases the vegetable elements predominate. In urban areas foxes consume berries and fruit from gardens, rubbish from compost heaps and pet food, whereas foxes living in rural or mountainous regions eat mainly rodents and insects.
Hunters and gatherers Unlike wolves, foxes living in the wild do not consume large amounts of food at once but spend a lot of their active hours foraging and scavenging. They eat small things like cherries or earthworms or bigger prey such as a mouse or a chicken. Their behaviour must be taken into consideration when being fed in an enclosure:
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about behavioural enrichtment: www.enrichment.org
Watching tip: • You can observe foxes in a spacious, species-friendly fox enclosure in the Langenberg Wildlife Park near Zurich: Langenberg Wildlife Park Related questions When do urban fox cubs emerge from the den? How can I watch foxes? home | © |