scholarly journals Changes in the Distribution of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Urban Areas in Great Britain: Findings and Limitations of a Media-Driven Nationwide Survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e99059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Scott ◽  
Maureen J. Berg ◽  
Bryony A. Tolhurst ◽  
Alienor L. M. Chauvenet ◽  
Graham C. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Red Foxes

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) in urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain as determined by citizen science

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1127-1140
Author(s):  
Dawn M. Scott ◽  
Rowenna Baker ◽  
Alexandra Tomlinson ◽  
Maureen J. Berg ◽  
Naomi Charman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽  
Sarcoptic Mange ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Fragmented Habitat ◽  
Shape Complexity

Abstract Urban areas may support high densities of wild carnivores, and pathogens can strongly influence carnivore populations. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are hosts of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei), which infects numerous species, and transmission can be density dependent. In Great Britain, urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have recently increased in population density and undergone range expansions. Here we investigate corresponding changes in urban fox mange prevalence. We predicted a higher prevalence closer to historic epi/enzootics and lower prevalence where urban features reduce fox density and movements, i.e. large areas of public green space, and fragmented habitat, as measured by road length and urban perimeter shape complexity. We visually assessed mange symptoms from georeferenced images of urban foxes submitted online by the public, thus surveying private land on a national scale. We measured the proportion of foxes apparently showing mange and used SATSCAN to identify spatial clusters of high infection risk. Landscape features were extracted from urban layers in GIS to determine associations. Although mange was widespread, we identified a single cluster of high prevalence (37.1%) in Northwest and Central England, which exceeded double mean prevalence overall (15.1%) and mirrors the northward expansion of urban fox distribution. Prevalence was positively correlated with perimeter shape complexity and negatively correlated with distance to the nearest city with mange, although the latter association was weak. Our findings show that citizen science can effectively monitor diseases with highly visible symptoms and suggest that fox movements are influential in explaining spatial patterns of prevalence.

scholarly journals Adaptations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to urban environments in Sydney, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Gil-Fernández ◽  
Robert Harcourt ◽  
Thomas Newsome ◽  
Alison Towerton ◽  
Alexandra Carthey
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sydney Australia ◽  
Site Types

Abstract With urban encroachment on wild landscapes accelerating globally, there is an urgent need to understand how wildlife is adapting to anthropogenic change. We compared the behaviour of the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at eight urban and eight peri-urban areas of Sydney, Australia. We observed fox behaviour around a lure and compared fox activity patterns to those of potential prey and to two domestic predators (dogs—Canis lupus familiaris and cats—Felis catus). We assessed the influence of site type, vegetation cover, and distance from habitation on fox behaviour, and compared the temporal activity patterns of urban and peri-urban red foxes. Urban red foxes were marginally more nocturnal than those in peri-urban areas (88% activity overlap). There was greater overlap of red fox activity patterns with introduced mammalian prey in urban areas compared with peri-urban areas (90% urban vs 84% peri-urban). Red fox temporal activity overlapped 78% with cats, but only 20% with dogs, across both site types. The high degree of overlap with cats and introduced mammalian prey is most likely explained by the nocturnal behaviour of these species, while pet dogs are generally kept in yards or indoors at night. The behavioural differences we documented by urban red foxes suggest they may adapt to human modifications and presence, by being more nocturnal and/or more confident in urban areas.

scholarly journals Population Structure of Harvested Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) on Prince Edward Island, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendela Wapenaar ◽  
Fiep De Bie ◽  
David Johnston ◽  
Ryan M. O'Handley ◽  
Herman W. Barkema
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Wildlife Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Agricultural Areas

An understanding of the population dynamics and habitat of wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) is a prerequisite to wildlife management. This information is also important in assessing the risk these wild canids pose to the public and domestic animals. On Prince Edward Island, information on age, sex, reproductive activity, and habitat use of 271 Red Foxes and 201 Coyotes was collected in the hunting and trapping season of 2004–2005. The estimated age of Red Foxes and Coyotes ranged from 0.5 to 13.5 years. A large proportion of harvested Red Foxes and Coyotes (58% and 48%, respectively) consisted of juveniles. The sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 for either species. Average litter size was 5.0 and 5.2 for Red Foxes and Coyotes, respectively. Number of placental scars ranged from 0 to 7 in Red Foxes and from 0 to 11 in Coyotes. Agricultural areas were the main habitat type (52%) of harvested Red Foxes. For harvested Coyotes, forest was the main habitat (44%), followed closely by agricultural areas (43%). Urban areas were a significant part (13%) of the habitat of Red Foxes. These data can be used to monitor population dynamics over time, provide information for wildlife management, and provide information on potential risk areas for disease transmission by wild canids.

Epidemiology of Toxocara canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from urban areas of Bristol

Parasitology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. T. Richards ◽  
S. Harris ◽  
J. W. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Autumn And Winter

SUMMARYA descriptive epidemiological survey was undertaken of the ascarid nematode Toxocara canis in 521 red foxes (vulpes, vulpes) during the period January 1986 to July 1990. Age–prevalence and age–intensity profiles show that worm are significantly higher in cubs than in subadult or adult foxes and higher in subadult than in adult foxes. variations in worm burdens occur, with the highest prevalences and intensities being found during the spring, when are born, and in the summer months. Prevalences and intensities then decrease during the autumn and winter months both subadult and adult foxes, but, during this period, prevalences are significantly higher in male than in female Variations in worm burdens in the fox population are likely to be related to the reproductive cycle of the fox, with proportion of cubs becoming infected in utero. The role of the fox in the transmission of T. canis in the urban environment is discussed.

scholarly journals The Ecology of Red Foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario: Disease Management Implications

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Rosatte ◽  
Mike Allan
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Rabies Control

During 1989-1992, 33 Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were fitted with radio-collars in metropolitan Toronto to study their behaviour which would provide data to assist with the design of a rabies control strategy for urban areas of Ontario. Annual home range size for adult foxes (avg = 325 ha, SD = 207) was significantly larger than that of juvenile foxes (avg = 165 ha, SD = 176), but we could not detect any seasonal differences in home range size for foxes. Mean (SD) nightly ranges were 38.3 ha (48.3) in spring, 97.4 ha (115.4) in summer, 26.8 ha (28.5) in fall, and 16.3 ha (13.6) in winter. Movements by foxes during the period from June to November averaged 3.5 km (2.89). Eleven of the foxes were known to have dispersed (? 3 km from their home range), but we could not detect a mean direction of dispersal. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of the foxes dispersed in December and 18% (2/11) dispersed in August, with the remainder dispersing between February and November. Average dispersal distance was 19.3 km (15.6), and a significant negative correlation was detected between initial home range size and dispersal distance of foxes. Mortality of radio-collared foxes was caused by collisions with automobiles, predation, and shooting. Foxes made extensive use of ravines and other greenbelt areas, such as parks and golf courses. Residential areas were also used by some foxes. Knowledge of the habitats frequented by foxes as well as their movement potential assisted researchers in determining where vaccine baits should be placed for the control of rabies in Red Foxes in metropolitan Toronto.

scholarly journals Detection of Babesia annae DNA in lung exudate samples from Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Bartley ◽  
Clare Hamilton ◽  
Cari Wilson ◽  
Elisabeth A. Innes ◽  
Frank Katzer
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Babesia Annae

Bait uptake by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in urban Melbourne: the potential of oral vaccination for rabies control

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive A. Marks ◽  
Tim E. Bloomfield
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
First Year ◽  
Field Site ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Oral Vaccination ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Rabies Control

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are widely distributed throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area. Density estimates indicate that fox populations would be capable of maintaining the endemic persistence of rabies. Oral vaccination of foxes by baiting is a technique that has been used successfully overseas to manage rabies epizootics. This study assessed the uptake by foxes of baits containing biomarkers in three urban field sites in winter 1993 and summer 1993/94. Baits were dosed with 200 mg of tetracycline in the winter trial and 5 mg of iophenoxic acid in the summer trial, and distributed at a density of 8 baits ha −1 in open areas within each field site. In the winter trial, 8 of 11 (72.7%) radio-collared foxes known to be in the field sites during the distribution of baits were marked. In the summer trial, 45 of the 49 foxes (92%) recovered from the combined field sites had consumed at least a single bait, resulting in bait acceptance of 80–97% for each field site. No bias existed between plasma iodine levels due to sex, although first-year foxes had a significantly higher level than older age groups combined. There were no significant differences in mean age of foxes collected at the three field sites, yet significant differences existed in mean plasma iodine concentrations between all three sites. These results are discussed with reference to rabies contingency planning. The high rates of bait uptake in this study are encouraging and suggest that oral vaccination may be a viable strategy for rabies containment in urban areas and is worthy of further assessment at reduced baiting densities.

A diagnostic study of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Great Britain

2012 ◽  
Vol 190 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Learmount ◽  
I.A. Zimmer ◽  
C. Conyers ◽  
V.D. Boughtflower ◽  
C.P. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Red Foxes

scholarly journals The occurrence of Mesocestoides sp. in British wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes crucigera)

1976 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. A. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
South East England

AbstractInfection with the cyclophyllidean tapeworm Mesocestoides sp.is recorded in British wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes crucigera) from Scotland and South East England. Previously, the occurrence of this parasite in Great Britain has been rarely reported, but the results of the present study indicate that vulpine infection may be common.

scholarly journals Secrets of the Astute Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes, Linnaeus, 1758): An Inside-Ecosystem Secret Agent Serving One Health

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Andreia Garcês ◽  
Isabel Pires
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Control ◽  
Secret Agent

An ecosystem’s health is based on a delicate balance between human, nonhuman animal, and environmental health. Any factor that leads to an imbalance in one of the components results in disease. There are several bioindicators that allow us to evaluate the status of ecosystems. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes, Linnaeus, 1758) has the widest world distribution among mammals. It is highly adaptable, lives in rural and urban areas, and has a greatly diverse diet. Being susceptible to environmental pollution and zoonotic agents, red foxes may act as sentinels to detect environmental contaminants, climatic changes and to prevent and control outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging zoonosis. This paper aims to compile the latest information that is related to the red fox as a sentinel of human, animal, and environmental health.

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