"London's Urban Foxes Attracted En Masse by the Scent of a McDonald's Happy Meal"
In the heart of one of the world's most bustling cities, a surprising resident has made its home – the urban fox. According to a study by Dawn Scott in 2013, fox densities have doubled since the 1980s in British cities, and London is no exception.
Urban sprawl encroached on fox territory, causing these elusive creatures to become more visible in urban London. Foxes are known to investigate points of difference, such as a pair of shoes, in urban environments, making them easier to spot. This visibility, combined with their adaptability, has led to their widespread presence in prominent locations such as Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and even on The Shard.
The urban landscape, with long terraces and gardens, provides ideal habitats for foxes. These city dwellers have even started to evolve to adapt to urban living, with larger muscles on their faces to break down bones and scraps, and a more concave skull to accommodate a larger jaw muscle.
The population of urban foxes in London is estimated to be around 10,000. This population has generally increased over the past few decades primarily due to abundant food availability in urban areas, which supports higher densities compared to rural fox populations. Urban fox family groups can have as many as 8 or 10 members, with specific roles, unlike their rural counterparts which typically consist of a vixen, a dog, and a few subordinates.
However, urban foxes face dangers such as traffic accidents, dog attacks, and illegal poisonings. Despite these challenges, many urban residents form close relationships with foxes and recognize them as individuals. A recent mural featuring a fox appeared in Camberwell, London, reflecting the community's connection with these urban creatures.
Despite the growing population, London's parks are becoming less liveable for foxes due to rising dog ownership. This has led researchers like Tom Fry, a research associate at the University of Cambridge, to dedicate their academic careers to studying interactions between humans and foxes. Dr. Fry's research involves participatory methods, such as knocking on doors to gather people's opinions about foxes and asking for help in tracking local populations.
Foxes were first sighted in London after the Second World War and their numbers have been rising since. In a hypothetical post-apocalyptic scenario, urban foxes might outlast humans, as they would have access to food sources like bins, grey squirrels, and fruit trees, and could live peacefully without cars on the roads.
Despite the city's fast pace, London's urban foxes have found a way to thrive, carving out a unique 'way of life' and 'culture' that sets them apart from their rural counterparts. Their resilience and adaptability serve as a reminder of nature's ability to persist even in the most unexpected of places.
The urban lifestyle, with long terraces and home-and-garden spaces, has become an ideal habitat for the thriving urban fox population in London. This unique 'way of life' and 'culture' of urban foxes, marked by their adaptability and resilience, sets them apart from their rural counterparts.
