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Don't feed the foxes

The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.

The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.

Manitoba Conservation is encouraging residents not to feed foxes after a flurry of sightings were reported over the summer. Conservation said the easy food source is the prime reason why many of the bushy-tailed carnivores have been roaming around town. "There are some people who have been feeding them for years and years and they have no intention of stopping because (the foxes) become pets, but they're wild animals," said a department spokesperson. "That's the reason why they're reproducing, because there are no natural predators are within the community. The food source is great and they don't have to travel a great distance for food." Often seen as harmless, foxes can pose certain threats. Not only can they carry rabies, they are believed to be responsible for the disappearance of at least two pet cats that were left outside this summer. There was at least one report over the summer of foxes living inside a culvert within city limits. Conservation sealed the culvert with a wooden barrier but said the barricade was subsequently removed by unknown individuals. In addition to not feeding foxes, Conservation advises that residents ensure their garbage containers are sealed and their yards are kept clear of garbage. See 'Where' on pg. Continued from pg. Conservation hasn't been alone in fielding concerns about foxes. In a recent letter to Flin Flon City Council, resident Rose Daneliuk said she "would like to see this problem addressed before it is too late." "Where do we draw the line?" she wrote. "If we had dogs living in culverts in town and roaming the neighbourhoods, the city dog catcher would impound the animal, or if it were a danger or a threat to a human or another animal, it would be destroyed. "So is Resources (Conservation) waiting for a human to get attacked or an outbreak of rabies to occur before they do anything? We are getting more and more wildlife coming into town. If it were a bear, they would do something about it, but when it is a cute, little fox eating our pets in our yards, they don't do a thing." Council had no comment on the letter, referring it to the Committee of the Whole for further review. Conservation invites anyone who would like more information on what they can do to keep foxes away to contact the Flin Flon office at 687-1640.

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