While There Is Still Ice Floating On Lake Superior, Spring Is Evident On Park Point With The Birth Of A Baby Fox

My friend Lisa works on Park Point and was able to snap a couple of shots of the new baby fox.  He IS darling!!!  Many people have mixed feelings of a family of fox living on the famous peninsula.  Residents on the point have actually named the fox.  I train for Grandma's Half Marathon on the Point and while I was freaked a little the first time I saw the fox, I've come to look for her near the boat house.  Now that there's a baby, I'm really going to be searching for a peek!

I hadn’t realized it was a no-no to feed wild animals until the City of Duluth sent out a press release about feeding the fox on Park Point last year.  Where I live there are TONS of deer and I was afraid they weren’t getting enough to eat, but as the city points out, there is a good reason why we shouldn't feed them.

While many that live on Park Point are comfortable with the foxes in and around their property, the City of Duluth is not.

There is a city ordinance that 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.  They say while you might think it’s cool to feed the fox, it could make your neighbors uncomfortable, especially if there are small children or pets around.

Some of the fox 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 and the fox make you uncomfortable, they make 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.

Although, while talking to my friend Lisa they love seeing the momma and baby interact and are so use to seeing the fox in the neighborhood, they hope they stick around.