Fox expert tells estate to clean up its act

nlnews@archant.co.uk
03 August 2005

A FOX expert has told Tottenham residents annoyed with the animals ransacking bins and digging up gardens to stop feeding them and to tidy their estate.

John Bryant, who advises on humane ways of controlling fox numbers, told a residents' meeting in Whitehall and Tenterden Community Centre, that the only way to reduce the animals' population was to cut off food supplies and sanctuaries.

Mr Bryant said: "If you want to reduce the population, reduce the food."

He argued culling was no solution.

"Culling costs thousands and thousands and is completely pointless, regardless of any humanitarian consideration," he added.

Complaints about fox damage on the estate were aired at a meeting of HTBG Residents' Association, which covers Headcorn, Tenterden, Tebworth, Beaufoy and Gretton roads.

Association chairwoman Barbara Cordwell said: "I've had lots of complaints of damage to shrubberies and gardens."

Other residents said bins were being torn open and streets left strewn with rubbish.

But Mr Bryant scotched any talk of a cull arguing that within three days any vacant territory would be filled by a homeless foxes.

Instead he urged residents not to leave food out and to keep the area clean.

"The answer is to tidy up your estate," he said.

Some residents said the foxes gave them pleasure.

One said: "I'm living in town and I don't see wildlife. Unless you can tell me they are a threat leave them be. We've had terrorists. This lot are not going to bomb us out of our homes."

According to Mr Bryant, there are around 10,000 foxes and 20,000 cubs in Greater London. But he predicted road accidents would reduce the total to 10,000 by the end of the year.

An urban fox does well to survive two years, he explained, whereas in a non-hostile environment it might live to 16.

The average fox territory according to Mr Bryant is 40-60 acres or 150 gardens.

david.gibbs@archant.co.uk