Foxes

Urban Foxes

Even though Newcastle is a busy place, we still have a wide variety of wildlife in our city. Sometimes people think of some of these creatures as pests or nuisances, but they are worth looking after.

Foxes, which are a member of the dog family, first started to colonise our towns and cities in the 1930s. Attracted by a plentiful supply of food from unsecured bins and dropped litter on the streets, the red fox’s adaptable and opportunistic nature has made it a very successful urban resident. Research has shown that the fox population of our cities has been stable for many years with no significant increases or decreases in fox numbers. The population is self-regulating according to the availability of habitat and food.

You can find out more information on our factsheet (pdf, 3mb)

Pest Controls' Approach to Foxes

In common with many other authorities, Newcastle does not support or practice lethal control.

We support coexistence and humane deterrence. Foxes are not vermin; they are part of our urban wildlife. There is no legislation to compel Local Councils to undertake control of foxes. Residents are encouraged to adopt humane solutions to their fox problems.