Recently, a number of foxes have been cited in College Park. Here is a note that we got from City’s Control officer, Vivian Cooper.
This a similar concern that we have received multiple times as of late. Here is some information regarding fox that we are communicating to the public:
Fox are more prevalent in the residential areas this year due to the extended mating season as well as the recent destruction and disturbance of previous green area. The fox’s diet typically consists of rabbits, snakes, insects, birds, mice, berries and fruits as well as carcasses of deceased animals. A fox is by nature, non confrontational and will very rarely take on something the size of even a cat, much less a dog – both of whom are considered predatory to the fox.
The fox is protected by Fur Bearing and Rabies Vector standards and cannot be removed from an by City Animal Control area unless it is showing obvious neurological symptoms or seems injured to the point of being downed and unable to fend for itself. Both of which could be signs of distemper, Rabies, or a trauma injury.
There have been multiple fox sightings in the City from Calvert Hills, Hollywood, Crystal Springs, and College Park Woods. There is a den in the compost fields of Davis Hall. Just Wednesday evening, I witnessed a mother and her kit traipsing along the compost piles. The presence of a fox is not one to be overly concerned about, as they are becoming more obvious as their habitats are being destroyed – most recently the Cafritz property.
Though regular urban wildlife, fox are one of the least adaptable species to human life styles (though they HAVE adapted). Typically a pinwheel, or some other humane deterrents as recommended by the Humane Society of the United States:
“– Start by placing objects, leaves, soil, or mulch in the den openings to disturb the residents
— Used kitty litter or almost anything with a strong human scent will also alarm the foxes. (Try a sweat-soaked T-shirt after a good jog.)
— People claim success in getting fox families to move simply by mounting Mylar® balloons two to three feet off the ground, just outside the entrance to the den.”
If these do not work, you may need to contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Nuisance Wildlife Hotline 877-463-6497; but due to the regulations in place they will only intervene in extreme situations. You can also read more about fox here: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/foxes/tips/solving_problems_with_foxes.html#.U2Oo9oFdVJs
If you have additional concerns about this particular incident, please feel free to contact Vivian Cooper at 240-375-3165.