Save the UNSW Foxes

SAVE FRANKIE FOX AND HIS FAMILY

It has come to the attention of Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue (SFDR) that there have recently been several incidents on the University of New South Wales Kensington Campus involving one (or likely several) wild foxes. Foxes are highly social animals and it is likely based on reported sightings by students that a small family has taken up residence on the campus grounds.

SFDR are deeply saddened to hear that the response of the University to these incidents is to try to trap and ultimately euthanise the foxes. Legally in New South Wales because foxes are a declared pest species they cannot be trapped and relocated. It is illegal to keep foxes in captivity without a permit and no new permits to keep foxes in captivity have been issued by the DPI/LLS since 2015. This means if the foxes are trapped they will be killed.

Foxes are not native animals; however urban foxes are a normal part of Sydney life. Foxes have lived in Sydney since at least the 1880's and today Sydney foxes number around 120,000. Foxes like Frankie and his family are common across all Sydney suburbs- they are curious but shy animals, mainly coming out at night to search for food such as insects, mice, rabbits and human food scraps. Foxes are not a threat to humans.

The increased number of fox sightings at UNSW is likely due to the campus being closed and only a very small number of staff and students being able to access the University due to covid-19. It is likely when normal classes commence, the amount of foot traffic will cause the foxes to naturally retreat to areas less frequented by humans.

Unfortunately, this week it was reported to news sources that at least two students have been mouthed/lightly nipped by one of the foxes whilst trying to touch/feed them. None of the students were seriously injured and one student admitted that the tetanus shot she received afterwards, "hurt more than the bite".

SFDR believes the fox in the photographs who was involved in these incidents is a juvenile animal and was simply looking for food, having become used to being fed by a small number of students in the largely unoccupied campus during covid-19. The foxes' usual food sources may be less available, as urban foxes often rely on human food scraps and rodents attracted by food scraps and other waste.

With less people out at night in cities like Sydney, urban foxes have been seen more regularly during the covid-19 pandemic. This is not because fox numbers themselves have increased. Like other wildlife, foxes are taking advantage of the lack of humans to explore their surrounds and come out earlier in the night than they would usually be able to when more humans are around. It is important to remember foxes are wild animals. No one should be feeding wild urban foxes or trying to pat or touch them. It is best to ignore urban foxes and leave them alone as much as possible.

To the best of our knowledge the UNSW foxes have not shown any signs of aggression and pose no threat to students and staff- both incidents resulted in only minor scratches/punctures and were the result of students trying to engage inappropriately with a wild animal (by trying to touch and/or feed the fox/es). Foxes do not carry any serious zoonotic diseases and rabies is not present in Australian foxes. The issue here is one of education- students need to learn how to appropriately respond to wildlife present on their campus. The solution should be education and compassionate co-existence, not unnecessary killing.



OTHER OPTIONS FOR UNSW

Removing and killing one or more foxes will not solve the issue. Foxes live in large family groups of 4 to 15 and have populations across Sydney. Killing one fox, or even a family of foxes will not create a fox free area. Research tells us that foxes from neighbouring areas will simply expand into the territory and more foxes will breed to compensate and increase the population (in a stable fox family not all females are breeding animals).

There are proven, quality fox deterrence options that the University could invest in to deter foxes from high traffic areas in the university or areas where they do not want the foxes. Options include technology such as "fox lights" and "fox off" deterrence sprays, high frequency auditory deterrence devices are also available.

Education for staff and students around not touching, feeding or otherwise engaging with the foxes is also key. SFDR are currently producing posters, signs, flyers and social media content to encourage UNSW students not to feed, touch or otherwise engage with the foxes. We would love to work with the UNSW Kensington campus to produce professional signage.

Lastly it is highly likely that once normal University classes commence and more people are frequenting the UNSW campus, the foxes will naturally retreat to less busy areas without humans.

You can contact the university chancellor and the Kensington Campus staff to express your concerns over the possible trapping and killing of Frankie fox and his family here:

Phone: 02 9385 2788
Fax: 02 9385 1949
Email: chancellor@unsw.edu.au


ABOUT US

Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue currently provide day-to-day care for 50-75 animals, some are permanent residents, others are waiting to be adopted or undergoing medical care. We are the only dedicated Fox Rescue centre in Australia and one of the only Dingo Rescues. We are a volunteer run, registered charity and a foster care network.

For 9 years we have provided a safe haven to animals that had no-where else to turn. We have helped save the lives of over a 100 foxes, 120 dingoes, 180 cats, 50 rabbits and many other animals. We've helped hundreds of families find the perfect animal companion and hundreds of animals recover, heal and learn to love again.

We've educated people young and old about animals and the environment and we've helped be a voice for animals who didn't have one of their own. Education and advocacy are key to our program.