Slow down, foxes crossing here

But the happiness is mixed with concern. The culverts where the foxes live are close to a busy road, and the pups do not know to avoid traffic. Two years ago, one of the foxes was hit by a car. Thorell saw the mother carry the pup away.

“That was very disheartening,” he said. “We’re just hoping it doesn’t happen again.”

He is not just waiting and hoping. Thorell is asking drivers to slow down and stay alert, not only near his street but anywhere in Prince George where roads run next to forests or green spaces. Deer, moose, bears, coyotes, and foxes all use these areas, he says. They often move at night and are not always easy to spot.

Conservation Officer Landon Beisel agrees. He says the city’s large greenbelt means that seeing wildlife is a year-round part of life for people in Prince George, not just something that happens in spring.

“Wildlife is just part of life here in Prince George and northern British Columbia,” Beisel said. “We need to learn how to cohabitate with them and respect them and live with them.”

Beisel has a clear message for residents who want to help. Do not feed the foxes. When animals get used to people, it can be dangerous for both. He also suggests securing garbage, taking down bird feeders, and keeping your distance, even if the animals seem friendly.

If you see someone bothering or hurting wildlife, Beisel asks that you write down the licence plate, note what the vehicle looks like, record the GPS location, and take photos of the scene. The more details you give, the easier it is for officers to investigate.

According to Thorell, the foxes will not be around much longer. The pups usually leave after four to five weeks and go into the nearby woods to live on their own.

Thorell says he’ll miss them when they go. But he’s counting on them coming back.

by Dave Branco

Slow down, foxes crossing here

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