More Island gossip regarding Reynard the Fox...

[msfledermaus]

The new fox in the neighborhood is causing quite a stir. People have seen him sleeping under the extra tent-poles to the neighbor's teepee. He's been popping up on people's porches, looking in the doors. And last night he cornered a neighbor's cat at 1pm last night. My neighbors Phil and Karen came down quick, and drove Reynard off, bringing the terrified kitty up to their apartment. For hours Reynard circled the house, looking for a way to get at the cat.

My e-mail list has been on fire, with people warning each other to keep their pets in. I know for sure the Littlest Orca will be staying indoors--I mean, he does anyway, but sometimes I take him out and put him in a rabbit-playpen to eat grass and romp while I hang out with him. But since Reynard here seems to have no problem coming up to houses in broad daylight, I think I'd be taking a serious risk with something like that. Especially with a cute, tame fuzzy little dumpling like Shamu.

And just in case Reynard is sick or something, I have pepper spray. Won't kill him, but it'll give him something to think about. I kind of wonder if he might be--he's way too comfortable being close to people. But he seems big and strong; maybe he was a rescue or something? I have no idea...

Comments

[fleur.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing he's just very hungry!! If you hadn't eaten much in four months and you smelled meat, you'd probably keep looking for it!

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Especially when you see fat little bowling-balls waddling around, clucking and eating corn.

I really like the fox--I'm just worried about how close he's getting to the houses. We're just going to have to adapt to each other...

[scentedwoods.livejournal.com]

Preggers maybe?

The high coyote population is driving many foxes into the cities for protection, as coyotes kill foxes as both compete for the same prey. If you notice bird wings, feathers, and small animal skins and fur laying around the yard in late spring, you most likely have a mother fox with pups living nearby. The mother foxes appear very thin and even look sick or mangey during the time they are feeding their pups. The stress of nursing and hunting for an entire family takes its' toll on her beauty for several weeks.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I dunno, the one we're seeing is pretty big and looking pretty healthy. Maybe he's hunting for his mate, though...

[pianolessdevil.livejournal.com]

Aw. He has a name! Reynard! LOL

He sounds quite hungry. But don't feed 'em! You'll never get rid of him. Instead, someone should call like, I dunno, animal wild life services. They'll know how to remove him and perhaps show y'all what you can do should another arrive.

But I like scentedwoods reply, too. Might have some youngins in the belly. D=

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

He could be Raylene instead of Reynard if the fox is a pregnant mama...but gosh, it's a big fox!

We don't want to drive him/her off if we don't have to...I think everyone's just keeping the cats in for now and seeing how things go.

[emschin.livejournal.com]

How does a fox get to the island? I can't quite see it taking the ferry over.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

There are some foot-bridges that connect some of the islands here to each other...if a fox follows the river, he can get here without any trouble, and without crossing a major road or anything.

Though it's a beautiful image; the fox in a raincoat and big hat, with a ferry-ticket:)