How long have foxes been living in urban area? | |||
Fox populations in Central Europe have risen sharply since the late 1980s, as is the case in Switzerland. At the same time, more and more foxes have been sighted in and around many towns, suburbs and villages. | |||
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Evidence shows that individual foxes have always lived in areas inhabited by humans. However, the phenomenon of fox populations in towns and villages in Europe was first observed in rabies-free Great Britain. Since the 1940s more and more foxes have been detected in British suburbs while no such development was observed on the European continent up to the 1980s. Rabies depletes Populations In Switzerland a general increase in the number of foxes was recorded in the 1950’s and 1960’s. After the World War II mechanisation and intensive farming resulted in a larger supply of food left lying in the fields. Urban sprawl, refuse produced by the throwaway society and composting – all these factors provide a ready feast for foxes. In Switzerland the rise in fox populations was halted by the 1967 -1985 rabies epidemic. However, now that rabies can be brought under control by vaccination and has been eradicated in large areas fox populations have recovered, reaching a higher level than before the epidemic.(for more on rabies). Urban foxes on the Continent Since the end of the last century foxes have been on the rise in Switzerland and neighbouring countries with a parallel increase in foxes living in urban areas (for more, cf. FAQ U2). By 1990 there were reports of foxes being sighted in Zurich and Lausanne within the entire metropolitan area with breeding dens in parks and gardens. Related Questions Why do foxes live in urban areas? Are there still any foxes with rabies? home | © |