Is the fox population increasing in Britain?
Sadly, no! The number of foxes in urban areas is reported to have increased from 33,000 in 1995, to 150,000 in 2017. But despite this, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) survey, reports an overall decline in the species by 40% in the UK between 1995 and 2019.
Despite the decline in their numbers, the red fox, the only wild canid species in the UK, is still one of the most commonly seen, and recognised, wildlife species in the UK.
Whilst the number of foxes in the UK isn’t officially recorded, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 2013 report, estimates that there are around 430,000 foxes in the UK – approximately 1 fox to every 150 people.
There are multiple causes to the decline in fox populations, these include, habitat loss, hunting/cubbing, the use of inhumane deterrents, and road traffic accidents.
