Wildlife Welfare: Urban Fox Management and Coexistence

Urban foxes are widely distributed in UK and European cities, with their management raising welfare considerations around lethal control, deterrence and coexistence.

Key Facts

The UK urban fox population is estimated at 150,000-250,000 animals
Foxes are territorial and self-regulating - removal of resident foxes is quickly reversed by immigration
Shooting and snaring are used for fox control but are often ineffective at population level in urban areas
Non-lethal deterrents including securing food waste and excluding denning sites are more sustainable
Mange, a highly debilitating parasitic skin disease, causes significant welfare harm in urban fox populations

Welfare Considerations

Urban fox welfare is shaped by disease, road traffic, human-wildlife conflict responses and deliberate feeding. Mange causes intense suffering and is treatable with homeopathic-dosing of medication in food. Lethal control of urban foxes is largely ineffective and causes welfare harm. Promoting coexistence through securing food waste and excluding foxes from sensitive areas is more humane and effective.

What You Can Do

Secure household food waste in fox-proof bins to reduce human-fox conflict
Contact mange-treatment volunteer groups if you see a mangey fox
Do not deliberately feed urban foxes - this increases dependence and conflict
Advocate against lethal urban fox control in your local area