I hadn't realized it was a no-no to feed wild animals.  Where I live there are TONS of deer and I was afraid they weren't getting enough to eat, so I bought corn and started to feed them.  Well, I quickly found out it was a frowned upon and even worse, they were not good at sharing.  YIKES!  Now, the City of Duluth is asking residents on Park Point to not feed the foxes that have been roaming the peninsula for quite some time.  Here's why.

When my husband and I have been running on Park Point near the rowing club we had encountered one of the foxes.  Freaked me out, however, a friend that works near there told me that he is around all the time and that the residents had even named him.  While they are comfortable with the foxes in and around their property, the City of Duluth is not.

A press release asks that residents and visitors of Duluth’s Park Point not feed the wild foxes.   The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers have been getting calls from concerned citizens saying the foxes are approaching people and homes.

A city ordinance (that I didn't know about, but soon learned) prohibits feeding deer and bears, but not other wildlife specifically.  Despite the absence of a city ban on feeding wild animals, wildlife managers advise against the practice.

While you might think it's cool to feed the foxes, it could make your neighbors uncomfortable, especially if there are small children or pets around.

Some of the foxes appear fairly tame, stepping over people on the beach or attempting to follow people into their homes.  While wild foxes are not generally considered a threat to people, they can carry diseases like mange, rabies, parvo virus and others that can spread to your own pets and sometimes, even people.

If you live on the Point, here's some suggestions:

Removing food sources such as pet food, from decks and other outdoor areas.

  •  Store trash indoors or in a shed or garage, until removal day.
  •  Haze or yell to frighten the animals and discourage them from returning.

The best practice is to not feed any types of wildlife.

 

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