A 2022 study explored the behaviour and welfare of juvenile red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in a wildlife rehabilitation centre, focusing on the impact of enclosure design. By using a newly designed, larger enclosure, the research aimed to better prepare young foxes for release into the wild, addressing concerns that existing standards for enclosures are too small to benefit their natural development. The study’s findings suggest that careful enclosure design can significantly influence the behavioural development and overall welfare of foxes before their release.
The Importance of Enclosure Design in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Enclosure design is a critical component in the success of wildlife rehabilitation. The National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (NWRA) recommends a minimum enclosure size of 1.2m x 1.2m x 2.4m for red foxes. However, many wildlife rehabilitators argue that this standard is inadequate for animals that need to develop natural behaviours before being reintroduced into the wild.
In response to these concerns, a larger enclosure (4.57m x 3.05m x 2.44m) was designed and built in 2017 to house juvenile red foxes, exceeding the NWRA’s 2012 standards. The study then monitored the behaviour of foxes in this newly designed space to determine whether the larger enclosure improved welfare and encouraged natural behaviours more effectively than smaller, traditional enclosures.
Studying Behavioural Development in Larger Enclosures
Between 2017 and 2018, two groups of juvenile foxes were observed using ethograms (a catalogue of different behaviours). The researchers compared the frequency of different behaviours over time to assess how the enclosure size and design affected the foxes’ behavioural development.
Interestingly, although red foxes are solitary as adults, the study found that juvenile foxes benefitted from living in a socialized group during their time in the rehabilitation centre. This group living arrangement helped foster a more harmonised development of natural behaviours, with passive behaviours—such as lying down and hiding—occurring frequently.
During feeding times, the foxes displayed a clear social hierarchy and competition for food. This competition, however, appeared to promote quicker natural development, as the foxes adapted to their social structure and learnt important survival behaviours.
In contrast, foxes housed in a singular environment (without the social interactions) still exhibited natural behavioural development, but with fewer passive behaviours and more active ones, such as running, walking, and playing. Feeding time in these solitary settings was less competitive, and the foxes’ behaviours during feeding were more evenly distributed, indicating less social tension compared to the group-housed foxes.
Benefits of the Larger Enclosure
The larger enclosure design played a significant role in reducing stereotypical behaviours—those repetitive, non-functional behaviours often associated with stress in captive animals, such as pacing or panting. By providing more space and a more complex environment, the larger enclosure encouraged a broader range of natural behaviours, preparing the foxes more effectively for release into the wild.
The findings suggest that enclosure size and design can have a substantial impact on the behaviour of rehabilitating foxes. The larger space allowed for more natural behavioural patterns to emerge, which is vital for the foxes’ post-release survival. The design not only reduced stress-related behaviours but also encouraged development in a way that mimicked natural conditions.
Implications for Future Rehabilitation Practices
The study’s results highlight the need for further research into the design of enclosures in wildlife rehabilitation. By ensuring that young animals have the space and environment they need to develop natural behaviours, rehabilitators can increase the chances of a successful reintroduction into the wild.
Moreover, the study calls for post-release tracking to assess how well these foxes adapt once they are returned to their natural habitats. While the enclosure design has been shown to promote natural behaviour in a controlled setting, the real test is whether these behaviours translate to survival and success in the wild.
Summary
The 2022 study on juvenile red foxes demonstrates the importance of enclosure design in wildlife rehabilitation. By exceeding traditional enclosure standards and providing foxes with a larger, more natural environment, the researchers were able to encourage better behavioural development and welfare outcomes. The study highlights that a socialized environment during rehabilitation fosters healthy development and that larger enclosures reduce stress-related behaviours. Moving forward, more extensive research into enclosure design and post-release outcomes is essential to ensure the success of rehabilitated foxes once they return to the wild.
Source
