Fox family makes home downtown / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, April 17, 2008

A mother fox and her young touch in the early evening light Tuesday in east Lawrence. The mother and her six kits have taken up shelter in a old garage near Seventh and New York streets.

By Sophia Maines

April 17, 2008

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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A family of foxes has moved into a garage near downtown Lawrence.

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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."

Discussion

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17 April 2008
at 8:08 a.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 8:20 a.m.

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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?
17 April 2008
at 8:21 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Cool. Countdown to a poster screaming nonsensical things about foxes in town…
17 April 2008
at 8:24 a.m.

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RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Anonymous) says…

But what about Rabies?
17 April 2008
at 8:26 a.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

Foxes prey on ice weasels. Everybody's a winner.
17 April 2008
at 8:27 a.m.

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Marty_McFly (Anonymous) says…

When I first read the headline I thought that Michael J Fox and his family moved to town.
17 April 2008
at 8:41 a.m.

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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…

Great picture/article. Kudos LJW.

17 April 2008
at 8:54 a.m.

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Buggie7 (Anonymous) says…

ha haaaaa Marty you crack me up. And yes those new bounty papertowels do work when you spit coffee everywhere lol
17 April 2008
at 8:56 a.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

R_I, don't pet the foxes.
17 April 2008
at 9:05 a.m.

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whatupdown (Anonymous) says…

I hope they eat thier weight in cats daily, I don't like cats cuz they kill for sport.
17 April 2008
at 9:14 a.m.

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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?
17 April 2008
at 9:18 a.m.

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JoRight (Anonymous) says…

Yay, happy news!
17 April 2008
at 9:20 a.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 9:20 a.m.

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Ceallach (Anonymous) says…

I'm sorry they announced her hiding place. I hope she and her kits survive the publicity.
17 April 2008
at 9:22 a.m.

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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.

17 April 2008
at 9:23 a.m.

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50YearResident (Anonymous) says…

Great Pictures. The lead picture is a clasic. Thanks to Richard.
17 April 2008
at 9:23 a.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 9:32 a.m.

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Pywacket (Anonymous) says…

R_I~ Don't bite them and they won't get rabies. It's that simple. ;-)
17 April 2008
at 9:38 a.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

LOL!! Pywacket!!
17 April 2008
at 9:39 a.m.

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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
17 April 2008
at 9:44 a.m.

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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?
17 April 2008
at 10:08 a.m.

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Jayhawker1 (Anonymous) says…

live and let live…
17 April 2008
at 10:09 a.m.

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Jayhawker1 (Anonymous) says…

We need them in my neighborhood to eat all the damn rabbits!

17 April 2008
at 10:29 a.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 10:33 a.m.

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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!!!
17 April 2008
at 10:33 a.m.

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zettapixel (Anonymous) says…

Great photography! Kudos to Mr. Gwin!
17 April 2008
at 10:38 a.m.

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cato_the_elder (Anonymous) says…

FatTony - FYI, the cougars in Lawrence actually tend to be located at the Jet Lag or the Sand Bar.
17 April 2008
at 10:55 a.m.

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monkeyspunk (Anonymous) says…

Yes, foxes are welcome! Please move some to West Lawrence near Dad Perry. The rabbits are in need of culling.
17 April 2008
at 11 a.m.

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Andini (Anonymous) says…

This town really needs to start doing something about it's homeless problem. This is getting rediculous. :-)
17 April 2008
at 11:11 a.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 11:20 a.m.

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davidnta (Anonymous) says…

Awww, those are really cute pictures.

17 April 2008
at 12:20 p.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 12:34 p.m.

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RedwoodCoast (Anonymous) says…

Vulpes rabidus
17 April 2008
at 12:41 p.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 12:58 p.m.

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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?
17 April 2008
at 1:22 p.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 2:16 p.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 4:14 p.m.

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Puff_Dragon (Anonymous) says…

…..'an I'm hungarrry wike a wooooofff………
17 April 2008
at 5:30 p.m.

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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.

17 April 2008
at 5:53 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

I saw one the other night at Trader Vic's.His hair was perfect.Let's see, one dad, one mom, 6 babies. Say 4 babies are female, 4x6 =, 24, + another litter from mom= maybe 30 babies next year. CIty hall will request a study on preserving their habitat. Land taken from home owners to be designated as a Fox preserve.x 6 the next…Before long, we can all have our own fox.Me thinks Midge will be calling for a spay neuter program for foxes!
17 April 2008
at 6:06 p.m.

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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.
17 April 2008
at 7:47 p.m.

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KsTwister (Anonymous) says…

Mice and rats had better watch out. Obviously we have another family that cares about community.
17 April 2008
at 8:24 p.m.

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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…

I agree with rc should not have given the general area. I love the picture.
17 April 2008
at 11:15 p.m.

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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?
18 April 2008
at 12:10 a.m.

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Calliope877 (Anonymous) says…

Awww….cute baby foxes! The momma's got quite a brood there. I hope people leave them alone.
19 April 2008
at 4:30 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

A friend just called to tell me they were sitting in their truck at a park in a town west of Emporia. There is a mother with 10 kits, different sizes, playing there.She states concern for them, because down there they are considered a nuisance predator, and many kill them for fur.Now someone else has stopped to watch.News is out now.
28 April 2008
at 5:40 p.m.

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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.