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.
Füchse beobachten

< 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.
  • The enclosure should therefore be large enough and well planned with the right sort of vegetation which will allow foxes to go out of each other’s way.

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.
  • Foxes kept in enclosures should be provided with a great variety of foodstuffs comprising both meat and vegetable foods.

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:
  • Feeding should occur at different times during the day.
  • Foodstuffs (e.g. raisins or nuts) should be distributed around the compound so the foxes are occupied with foraging.

More about behavioural enrichtment: www.enrichment.org
Advice on species-friendly planning for a fox enclosure

Spacious compound with varied structures
A fox enclosure must include structures which give the foxes a sense of security. If a fox feels safe it will roam around the compound even during daytime. Raised levels like mounds, fallen tree trunks or other platforms give a fox an overview enabling it to observe what is going on in and around the enclosure. Foxes are good climbers and should be given the opportunity to do so.

  • Structures for cover: Structures affording cover are hollow tree trunks, undergrowth (brambles), loose piles of fir branches, and small groups of shrubs.
  • Long structures: The compound should be fitted out with long structures, e.g. hedges or fallen tree trunks, so that the fox can edge along them and hide.
  • Resting places: Each animal should have its own resting place. In the enclosure foxes like using dens as places to rest in too. A fox should never be disturbed while resting. Once it knows it can withdraw and be left in peace the fox will use the rest of the compound, even during daytime.

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?


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