Why do foxes need to be controlled?

Washy75 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-12-2007, 08:00 PM

I don't really understand it. Foxes are victimised as an animal that "needs to be controlled" but I really don't understand why. Are they not native to Britain? To a certain extent I can understand why people talk about problems associated with grey squirrels and of course rats but these species are introduced.
My point is foxes have always been here from when they first evolved and they never had this need to be controlled then so why now?

naturelover · #2 (**permalink**) 19-12-2007, 08:04 PM

hiya washy75 a warm welcome to the site hope you enjoy it,the answer to your question why, you tell me why i have wondered this for years.

dog stone · #3 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Washy75

I don't really understand it. Foxes are victimised as an animal that "needs to be controlled" but I really don't understand why. Are they not native to Britain? To a certain extent I can understand why people talk about problems associated with grey squirrels and of course rats but these species are introduced.
My point is foxes have always been here from when they first evolved and they never had this need to be controlled then so why now?

Foxes always have been controlled, first by the wolf and then by man. As for today, why control foxes, to help protect ground nesting species of birds? In sheep farming areas to help against lamb predation?

demicav · #4 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog stone

Foxes always have been controlled, first by the wolf and then by man. As for today, why control foxes, to help protect ground nesting species of birds? In sheep farming areas to help against lamb predation?

Let's not forget that Foxes are sometimes deliberately put into an area in order to be hunted. It's not all about conservation, it's about fun. That said I do agree with some control, as you say to protect ground nesting birds and the like.

dog stone · #5 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demicav

Let's not forget that Foxes are sometimes deliberately put into an area in order to be hunted. It's not all about conservation, it's about fun. That said I do agree with some control, as you say to protect ground nesting birds and the like.

If you were a person who put foxes into heavy sheep farming areas like the Lake District, the Cheviots or Exmoor for example, you would likely find yourself on the "controlled" list.

demicav · #6 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog stone

If you were a person who put foxes into heavy sheep farming areas like the Lake District, the Cheviots or Exmoor for example, you would likely find yourself on the "controlled" list.

I'm sorry, not sure what you mean by "I would be on the controlled list". Please explain.

Washy75 · #7 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 08:05 PM

Not sure that you'll find a great deal of evidence for foxes being predated upon by wolves. Foxes would never be the easiest prey for wolves to catch and not much of a meal for a pack when they did catch it (or them if we're talking about cubs too which are obviously smaller and therefore even less of a meal). As I say, look at the evidence as to what wolves mainly ate (in Britain at the time) or what they eat now.

Anyway, wasn't the wolf HUNTED to extinction in this country by the forefathers of British hunters of today? They were probably being "controlled" though weren't they? Like the white tailed eagle was, the goshawk, bears, hen harriers, red kites, peregrines etc. etc. etc.

Xanadu2 · #8 (**permalink**) 21-12-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demicav

I'm sorry, not sure what you mean by "I would be on the controlled list". Please explain.

I think he's trying to say you would be shot for releasing foxes there.

It's not as common as people think. Definitely didn't happen here. No point now the local hunt is trail hunting.

Xanadu2 · #9 (**permalink**) 21-12-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Washy75

Not sure that you'll find a great deal of evidence for foxes being predated upon by wolves. Foxes would never be the easiest prey for wolves to catch and not much of a meal for a pack when they did catch it (or them if we're talking about cubs too which are obviously smaller and therefore even less of a meal). As I say, look at the evidence as to what wolves mainly ate (in Britain at the time) or what they eat now.

Anyway, wasn't the wolf HUNTED to extinction in this country by the forefathers of British hunters of today? They were probably being "controlled" though weren't they? Like the white tailed eagle was, the goshawk, bears, hen harriers, red kites, peregrines etc. etc. etc.

There is a valley with wolves in the hills above me. More later.

Xanadu2 · #10 (**permalink**) 21-12-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanadu2

There is a valley with wolves in the hills above me. More later.

I saw the comment on wolves.

I had half an eye on the TV a month or two ago, and suddenly recognised a view of my local hills. It introduced a feature about a man who rescued wolves from unsuitable conditions in captivity and operates a large sanctuary where wolves live as naturally as possible.

I tried to check the sanctuary out on the Net, but the address is secret. However I just asked the right person in my home village and discovered exactly where it is. Now I would like to find out more about the interaction between foxes and wolves.

Hmm, if the wolves can't get out, can the foxes get in?