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Urban foxes in Bristol

Living with urban Foxes, Bristol - By Ian Wade
I have been photographing urban foxes in Bristol for over 6 months now; what started off as a chance encounter has become an obsession for me and has changed my feelings and attitudes towards urban foxes forever. Over this 7 month period, I have talked on BBC Radio Bristol twice, worked on an Urban Wildlife book which will feature these foxes and have met people who generally care about these animals, together with people who hate them with a passion. I have even been threatened in the street for photographing these animals, which shows feelings towards are mixed at the best of times. I couldn't help but become attached to these beautiful animals which I have now watched for hundreds of hours.

Cotham in Bristol
I became hooked on these animals by a chance encounter one evening whilst walking to the pub in Cotham in Bristol June 2010. My girlfriend and I were walking at dusk with the light slowly fading when I glanced down a side street and saw an animal dart across the road. I stopped, looked again, and saw a male fox sat in the middle of the street without a care in the world. Later that night when we walked back, we kept to the same route because I was hoping the fox would still be there. I was amazed as he was almost in the same place; I edged nearer to him but he wasn't scared and was as interested in me as I was in him!

One of the foxes I named Freddy was my favourite; he could always be found at a certain location and I would see him in broad daylight going about his business of looking for food and patrolling his territory. Photos by Ian Wade.

The next night at dusk, I headed back with my camera gear hoping he would again be sat in the street. With the sun setting, the fox appeared again from a garden nearby. I spent three hours that evening photographing and watching his behaviour and was amazed how he seemed to be at ease living in a busy urban street and that he was active both day and night.

During that night I saw two more foxes. A vixen with her cub was shyer, but still inquisitive in what I was doing within their environment. At one point during the night the male fox sat next to me and fell asleep, an amazing experience. I must point out that these foxes did not show any aggression towards me at any stage. I respected them and let them go about their business and they respected me.

Hours turned to days, days turned to weeks and then months, and every time I went to this location I saw two families of foxes. After I while I learned their territory. One of the foxes I named Freddy was my favourite; he could always be found at a certain location and I would see him in broad daylight going about his business of looking for food and patrolling his territory. 

For me and the many other people who see foxes on a regular basis in their urban area, it is a special moment when we come face to face with a wild animal which has adapted beautifully to living in the City. Photos by Ian wade

After I had been in the same area photographing these foxes for a while, the residents of the street started talking to me and we built up a relationship. They told me how long the fox had been in the area and how he was part of the community, some people also had names for this fox too and they told me they were generally affectionate toward them. Some of the residents were very fond of the male fox I called Freddy; they respected the fact that he was wild, letting him go about his daily business without a problem. I began to feel sorry for these animals, especially with the negative stories in the media vilifying them. I had read stories of how foxes had entered homes and attacked people in different locations over the Country.

Taming foxes - Could lead to problems
I believe that if any animal is cornered, it may bite in self-defence. So if a fox was trapped in an outbuilding or similar situation and it was approached or someone tries to touch it, the fox will defend itself. Many people feed foxes and this means they become less wary of humans which will ultimately cause problems. I have read that it is comparatively easy to train foxes to come and take food from your hand over time, or even come indoors to be fed. One person even had a fox that would come inside her home, sit on her lap and allow itself to be stroked!

Hamburger
Just the other day, I was walking home and a fox popped out in front of me with a hamburger in its mouth, we stared at each other for a couple of seconds, it turned around and trotted off into the distance and disappeared into the dark. A short encounter, but for me and the many other people who see foxes on a regular basis in their urban area, it is a special moment when we come face to face with a wild animal which has adapted beautifully to living in the City.

For me and what I have experienced in my local area of Bristol, urban foxes bring much joy to many people; they are part of the community loved by some but also feared by others. Having a wild animal in your street or garden is exciting. So the next time you see an urban fox in your city or village, take the time to watch this animal and show it respect as it is wild and should not be approached. Maybe you too will fall in love with this beautiful, adaptable and resourceful animal.

I would like to say quick thank you to Kathy Beesley who was a great help on this article.