Foxes take up residence downtown
A new family has made a rather public home out of an East Lawrence neighborhood. Enlarge video
Foxes
A vixen and six kits have made a home in downtown Lawrence. Enlarge video
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Foxes
A family of foxes has moved into a garage near downtown Lawrence.
A family of foxes has made a rather public home out of an East Lawrence neighborhood.
It's a sight that shouldn't surprise, said Marty Birrell, director of Prairie Park Nature Center.
"They're just making a living like everybody else," Birrell said. "They're probably hunting in the parks downtown."
Like other animals, foxes learn how to navigate urban environments and are known to move into towns to avoid coyotes, she said.
The adaptable foxes hunt rabbits and mice and, if left alone, can live peacefully among people.
"They can move in and around where humans live without too much interference," Birrell said.
And some people are happy for the new additions to their neighborhood.
"I love to see the foxes," said Christy Brandt, who had a recent sighting. "I haven't spotted any kits yet, but I'm waiting to see if there are any."
Comments
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teripettengill (anonymous) says…
What a great story and what beautiful pictures. These are the things I like to see in the Paper.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
We have foxes on our property and love seeing them. I enjoyed the article, though question the wisdom of printing the exact location of the mother's den! Nothing like inviting idiots to disturb them...They are very shy animals and the mom might feel stressed to move if too many people show up trying to see the kits (or worse--with the intention of disturbing them). I hope everyone will watch, but not try to approach.When I lived in studentville (Kentucky St) many years ago, the area seemed overrun with skunks. Are there still a lot of skunk families around that area?
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Cool. Countdown to a poster screaming nonsensical things about foxes in town...
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
But what about Rabies?
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Foxes prey on ice weasels. Everybody's a winner.
Marty_McFly (anonymous) says…
When I first read the headline I thought that Michael J Fox and his family moved to town.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Great picture/article. Kudos LJW.
Buggie7 (anonymous) says…
ha haaaaa Marty you crack me up. And yes those new bounty papertowels do work when you spit coffee everywhere lol
autie (anonymous) says…
R_I, don't pet the foxes.
whatupdown (anonymous) says…
I hope they eat thier weight in cats daily, I don't like cats cuz they kill for sport.
FatTony (anonymous) says…
There have always been foxes downtown, but the cougars all seem to be out near alvamar. Could it be the cougars are afraid of competing with the foxes for the same prey?
JoRight (anonymous) says…
Yay, happy news!
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…
Beautiful creatures! I use to be afraid of foxes when I was little. I 'd be afraid to get out of bed for fear one would bit my ankle. I have no idea where this came from. Until I saw a live fox I realized just how beautiful they are. They should be protected. I hope no one does something stupid to hurt them.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
I'm sorry they announced her hiding place. I hope she and her kits survive the publicity.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
Nah, Tony, it's because the prey downtown is just too skinny--maybe enough for those tiny foxes, but a cougar's appetites require something more substantial, such as the fat cats native to Alvamar, where you've spotted them.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
Great Pictures. The lead picture is a clasic. Thanks to Richard.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"Time to get the pellet gun out, I could use some fox pelts."b3's all-purpose solution to everything-- kill it.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
R_I~ Don't bite them and they won't get rabies. It's that simple. ;-)
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
LOL!! Pywacket!!
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
I love the initial picture, with the muted colors in the background and the green leaves in the foreground. Really makes the foxes stand out in the picture
chucknoblet (anonymous) says…
I saw a fox just south of the Hospital at 4th and Michigan about 3 weeks ago at night. In all my years of living in Kansas, that was the first fox I had ever seen in person. It was beautiful. Has anyone else seen them near LMH?
Jayhawker1 (anonymous) says…
live and let live...
Jayhawker1 (anonymous) says…
We need them in my neighborhood to eat all the damn rabbits!
FatTony (anonymous) says…
Mitzibel,I thought the cougar just liked the lifestyle their former fat cat provided and now that they are secure are able to prowl on the young.
bluerose (anonymous) says…
a month or so ago, i saw a lone fox in the KU park just south of the Spencer Museum, as i was walking to work early. it was magical! this is a wonderful LJW story and beautiful pictures and video! i am going to try hard to restrain myself from stalking the explicitly stated location so i can see those darling kits. i wish you hadn't told!!!
zettapixel (anonymous) says…
Great photography! Kudos to Mr. Gwin!
cato_the_elder (anonymous) says…
FatTony - FYI, the cougars in Lawrence actually tend to be located at the Jet Lag or the Sand Bar.
monkeyspunk (anonymous) says…
Yes, foxes are welcome! Please move some to West Lawrence near Dad Perry. The rabbits are in need of culling.
Andini (anonymous) says…
This town really needs to start doing something about it's homeless problem. This is getting rediculous. :-)
lily (anonymous) says…
If anyone bothers them, I hope the owner of the property files trespassing charges. Leave them alone please. Unless they become a nuisance and only the proper authorities should take care of that. Had them in my neighborhood until fill in building started and they tore up a lot of wooded area. Sad. They are beautiful creatures. They are in an area just off main campus too.
davidnta (anonymous) says…
Awww, those are really cute pictures.
fourkitties (anonymous) says…
For the fox's safety, we should have Operation Wildlife live trap them all and move them to a remote area. If these animals become friendly with humans it could become a disaster.btw, whatupdown- Not all cats want to hunt for game. Some just want to bask in the sun outside on a porch.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Vulpes rabidus
smitty (anonymous) says…
chucknoblet, in the spring we have heard the foxes mating before seeing them. They are shrill and loud. This was close to Burcham park at the railroad tracks. We've also seen a mother fox divert attention from her young not far from the Flamingo by running away from where the den is located.My baby chicks disappeared one a few at a time one spring. I covered the chicks with a screen to keep out whatever was greeting at them. One night I heard loud peeping only to get there just in time to see a fox jump out of the screen covered container with the last chick in it's month. This is also the same location that I spotted a puma in the trees over my chicken house. The chickens have a hard time surviving with all the wild life in N Lawrence.
sgb (Sandy Beverly) says…
I saw a fox run across 9th street between Missouri and Maine a few weeks ago. A friend who lives near Hillcrest school says they see a fox every couple weeks. Cool to have them in our midst, wish they didn't have to cross busy streets.Other local sightings?
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
I guess there is actually a misconception about foxes killing chickens. They are known for killing a lot of hens and then just leaving the dead ones there. Actually what they intend to do is come back and get the rest. They stash the bodies somewhere for later. If you interrupt them, then you'll just find a bunch of dead chickens.
FatTony (anonymous) says…
Cato-So thats where they have been hiding, thanks for the tip. Harderfaster-I can't wait to get my furharvester license and get some furbearers.
Puff_Dragon (anonymous) says…
.....'an I'm hungarrry wike a wooooofff.........
LuckyNun (Tanya Spacek) says…
Foxes DO live a few blocks from the hospital, I don't want to say exactly where because I want them to stay there. I see them early in the mornings, playing under the streetlights.
yankeelady (anonymous) says…
From the video it looks like she is a very good mom. And the foxes will help keep rodents under control. I prefer them to mice. Hopefully people will leave them alone and give them space.
KsTwister (anonymous) says…
Mice and rats had better watch out. Obviously we have another family that cares about community.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
I agree with rc should not have given the general area. I love the picture.
none2 (anonymous) says…
RedwoodCoast (Anonymous) says:"I guess there is actually a misconception about foxes killing chickens. They are known for killing a lot of hens and then just leaving the dead ones there. Actually what they intend to do is come back and get the rest. They stash the bodies somewhere for later. If you interrupt them, then you'll just find a bunch of dead chickens."What is the best way to prevent foxes killing the chickens? Is there a particular poison that you can put out or do you have to put up some traps at night outside the coup?
Calliope877 (anonymous) says…
Awww....cute baby foxes! The momma's got quite a brood there. I hope people leave them alone.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
I just saw the momma in the Riverfront Plaza parking lot, all alone.I can't believe a fox is so out in the open.