The group I’m involved with supply SASA and APHA with shot foxes, preferably with undamaged livers for analysis.
Last year 44 foxes were supplied from the area and only 4 from the rest of Scotland.
SASA recently picked up 14 foxes.
The reason for testing.
“The main reason we’re collecting the foxes is to contribute to UK disease testing requirements – in this case Echinococcus multilocularis (see
Assessment of E. multilocularis surveillance reports 2015). We have also used your foxes to contribute to UK Trichinella testing. In both these cases, the UK has to prove disease-free status in order to trade livestock, and the fox is an easy source of tissue to test for environmental contamination.
Wherever possible we pass on tissue to labs where tests can be performed in order to enhance our understanding of disease/pathogen and even environmental contamination. However, I think your foxes have so far contributed to the above.
Regards,”
Also this for those that handle foxes, always use gloves as this was from a fox that succumbed to infection after a fight with either another fox or dog.
“30-04-2025
Streptococcus canis has been isolated in sparse, pure growth from the thoracic fluid and the spleen.
Streptococcus canis is carried in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract in dogs, foxes and a number of other species. It is a well recognised cause of severe, fatal infections. It is highly likely that the healing wounds on the chest were bite wounds from a fox or a dog. Penetration of the chest introduced the Streptococcus canis from the mouth into the chest cavity and led to pyothorax and septicaemia.”
Lastly this from an email 10 years ago.
The story of Fox around here has reached a very interesting stage. Years ago (i.e. in the 20th century) we had tons of them and they had become a real problem, even released ‘city’ foxes were a regular ‘take’ and the annual cull levels were often reaching a combined total in excess of 100 p.a. for just the parishes of XXXXXXXXX and YYYYYYY.
Then in the 90’s ‘brock’ started to really grow in numbers, such that fox numbers steadily dwindled. In 2013 I shot precisely four foxes and they were all shot because they made an unacceptable nuisance of themselves by frequenting a near neighbour’s hens, ducks and geese. Last year I shot only two, for the same reason. This year has been very educational. There is now sustained evidence of badger numbers tumbling, from want of food I think. Put simply I think that between them and those equally noisome ‘brown crows’, they’ve hit the available food sources so damned hard for so long that the resulting serious reduction in numbers of hedgehogs, ground nesting birds, brown hares, bunnies et al, has finally trimmed their sails. This year I am monitoring only three fox dens and I am practically on friendly terms with the vixen who patrols my poultry owning neighbour’s land. Since she behaves so well and does him no harm (and as an experiment) she’s allowed to stay… and she seems to keep all other, potentially ‘naughty’ foxes off her turf. Maybe she even educates some earth-pigs to good effect. The experiment continues. I suspect her cubs will decide the next policy.
I have to say though; it’s a truly depressing thing around here in spring these days. At one time May and June brought a veritable cacophony of wild bird calls, particularly in the evening…. Peewits, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Snipe, Grey Partridge, various Gulls, Duck, wild Pheasant and as a special treat on warm afternoons the song of one my personal favourites, the wee Skylark… high flying and often unseen, their song is/was my definition of Summer here … but all of these species are now pretty much gone from our land, save for the occasional plaintive call of a single bird or very rare pair. Incidentally magpies don't get to breed within about a mile of my house and one of those black and white feathered marauders is rarely seen here. Those that are spotted receive, wherever humanly possible, a quick injection of warm copper and lead. I find that 75 grains of .224” A-max, provides a very sound and rapid remedy. So, at least our hedge and tree dwelling bird species remain at good population levels. Although, there is even a new worry for them. I’ve recently discovered some grey tree-rats in the district for the first time. They obviously need some firm career advice. I think the No6 plan might be best.
