The Irish Red Fox: Seeking Sanctuary While Facing Evictions
It’s 3am. You’re startled awake by a loud screech outside in the night. Frightening, like the wail of the Banshee. “Oh for God’s sake”, you think as you turn over in bed and press your pillow over your ears. “It better not be leaving filth in my garden”. You try to go back to sleep. You’re annoyed. You hope they stop screaming out there. You have a busy day at work tomorrow. You need to be on the top of your game. But here’s the thing, those foxes, with those blood curdling screams, are busy too. They’re on important missions tonight. It’s the male, warning other foxes off his territory. It’s the vixen attracting a mate. Or is she calling out for her cubs? They’ve just started leaving the den. Not even two months old. Her cubs don’t have high chances of surviving past their first year. And she’s worried. She’s worried that her babies are in danger. She is a mother, after all. No one will take care of them if she doesn’t. Humans? With their cars and their headlamps? Well th...
