Fox Cub Killed in my garden....

[claytonclan]

Im wondering if someone out there can help?

Our garden is frequently visited by foxes (as we feed them) who have a 'set' across the road to me (a very quiet road). We're often woken by them calling to eachother and hearing the 'screams' they make and two nights ago I was woken in the early hours by the most terrible screams, it really frightened me and I could sense that this noise was different.

I got up and looked out, as our garden is secluded and surrounded by conifer trees but I couldn't see anything. I didn't sleep well and was woken up by another noise (which was the mum) and when I got up and looked out at
5am, there on the lawn was the most beautiful baby fox cub which had been killed, next to it sat its mother. It had been attacked on its throat and there was alot of blood round that area and out of its mouth. I was so upset and it has really upset all of us. I keep thinking maybe if I went downstairs I could have stopped it. Does anybody know whether it was killed by an adult male fox from another set? There is no way a dog could have got in and I've not heard of this happening before?

The most sad thing is that the mum has appeared many times in the last couple of days, early morning and each night and just sits at the spot where the baby died. Does anybody know what killed it? Thanks.

[demicav]

I'm so sorry to hear about the Fox cub. Unfortunately I'm not able to say what went on. Maybe it was a Dog fox from a different area, I know in some species this does go on. There are plenty of people on here that will probably have a better idea and I'm sure they'll be along shortly, maybe they can shed some light on it.

[Wild-Woman]

I think 'Words'-a member-might be able to shed some light, as he has plenty of experience with foxes in his garden. Hopefully he may see your thread.

[helen253]

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience..farmers can care for the lambs but I'm glad there are also people who care for the foxes. Hope someone more knowledgable comes along soon to help you.

[dmclean2]

Hi Claytonclan, and welcome to WAB ,
I aggree with Demicav, it is a good possibility that another male fox was responsible for the death of the cub, foxes do this to ensure their young survive, Was it the only pup in the litter?
or have you seen others, they usualy have two or three cubs,
Cheers
Duncan

[Words]

Hi, I heard my name

I've not come across it before, but I imagine it's possible that an intruder fox would do this. Fights are more common between adults around the breeding season, so this is a bit late; but to be honest I don't know and haven't found any useful references.

Foxes can sometimes kill other foxes though in fights. The other option would be a badger, which are known to take young foxes (foxes repay the 'favour', though usually both species tend to work around each other). Or just possibly a cat (they do attack foxes, including adults), though I would expect more scratches than bites if that were the case.

It must have been quite a shock to see

[southlonder]

Originally Posted by claytonclan

Im wondering if someone out there can help?

Our garden is frequently visited by foxes (as we feed them) who have a 'set' across the road to me (a very quiet road). We're often woken by them calling to eachother and hearing the 'screams' they make and two nights ago I was woken in the early hours by the most terrible screams, it really frightened me and I could sense that this noise was different.

I got up and looked out, as our garden is secluded and surrounded by conifer trees but I couldn't see anything. I didn't sleep well and was woken up by another noise (which was the mum) and when I got up and looked out at
5am, there on the lawn was the most beautiful baby fox cub which had been killed, next to it sat its mother. It had been attacked on its throat and there was alot of blood round that area and out of its mouth. I was so upset and it has really upset all of us. I keep thinking maybe if I went downstairs I could have stopped it. Does anybody know whether it was killed by an adult male fox from another set? There is no way a dog could have got in and I've not heard of this happening before?

The most sad thing is that the mum has appeared many times in the last couple of days, early morning and each night and just sits at the spot where the baby died. Does anybody know what killed it? Thanks.

This is just a guess but don't cats kill like that.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by southlonder

This is just a guess but don't cats kill like that.

Well a cat kills with a bite to the kneck but the mother fox would have killed (or chased) the cat and i doubt a dommestic cat would have a big enough mouth to fit around a fox cub.

I think if humans can be ruled out then it was most likely another dog that killed it - probably another fox but might have been a stray dog. A fox is a dog and their behaviour is that of a dog... i suspect it was a terratory thing.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Well a cat kills with a bite to the kneck but the mother fox would have killed (or chased) the cat and i doubt a dommestic cat would have a big enough mouth to fit around a fox cub.

I think if humans can be ruled out then it was most likely another dog that killed it - probably another fox but might have been a stray dog. A fox is a dog and their behaviour is that of a dog... i suspect it was a terratory thing.

claytonclan
There is no way a dog could have got in and I've not heard of this happening before?

Dog has been ruled out

[tigger]

I doubt you will ever really know what happened.

We had a very similar thing happen last year. I heard awful noises in the garden in the middle of the night. I just thought it was the foxes messing around as usual. Next day I found a dead hedgehog on the lawn, totally eaten except for its head and spines.

I think this might have been badger, or maybe fox.... but I will never really know. I guess we just have to accept the way that nature works. Sometimes it's unbelievably cruel.