There appears to be some general support in a newspaper article (following their consulting both 'pest control experts' and 'mammalian ecologists') for many of the doubts I expressed about the ease and appropriateness of carrying out a cull of urban foxes in London or any other major UK city after the reported attack on a baby ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/14/fox-cull-not-answer-say-friends-foes?INTCMP=SRCH). Even 'pest controllers' with licences to shoot foxes stress that there are relatively few locations in cities where the activity can be legally and safely carried out (shooting is banned, for example, in close proximity to roads). The people consulted have also stressed that it is likely that there would be little uniform public support for a cull (it might well be actively resisted) and have confirmed that removing foxes from one area would be followed by animals moving in from the surrounding environs. They also appear to advocate the suggestions I made that waste food disposal as well as blocking easy access to gardens and associated out buildings would be more effective ameliorating activities. My comment about the apparently very different official response to attacks on humans by dogs is supported by a timely report from the Environment Select Committee (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/15/action-on-dangerous-dogs-woefully-inadequate?INTCMP=SRCH).
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
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