People's behavior around young wildlife leads to restrictions at Bombay Hook
It's a sure sign of spring: wildlife having babies.
However, this annual miracle of nature was becoming too much of a "tourist attraction" at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge east of Smyrna. The actions of some visitors around an adult female fox and her baby foxes (known as "kits") have led to temporary restrictions.
Management of the refuge said Wednesday that the foxes have drawn an "extensive number" of visitors to the Bear Swamp Loop. Some of them have been blocking the main road, parking illegally, and setting up lawn chairs to try to see and photograph the foxes.
There have also been reports of people blocking the mother from returning to the kits, and even attempts to lure the foxes with dog toys.
At least one accidental death of a fox has been reported. According to a social media post from Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuges in late March, a mother fox was trying to escort its young kit off the road back to safety as people stopped in their cars, but the baby fox ran under a stopped car and was struck and killed as the driver started to move.
Temporarily, Bear Swamp Loop is off-limits to motor vehicles, cyclists and hikers. The action was taken for the protection of the foxes as well as to prevent any visitors from being injured by vehicular traffic - or by wildlife that may become defensive or angry and go on the attack.
Bombay Hook also offered this guidance when encountering wildlife while visiting a refuge:
1. Give wildlife their space. At least two car lengths.
2. If you stop, pull off the road. Don't stop in the road.
3. Don't stop right next to the wildlife if they are right next to the road. They could wind up under a car.
4. Don't speed on the refuge. Don't get or be in a hurry on the refuge.
5. Stay on the road or trails.
"Remember why you came here. To slow down and reconnect with nature. Not to put nature in peril," their statement said.
It's a sure sign of spring: wildlife having babies.
However, this annual miracle of nature was becoming too much of a "tourist attraction" at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge east of Smyrna. The actions of some visitors around an adult female fox and her baby foxes (known as "kits") have led to temporary restrictions.
Management of the refuge said Wednesday that the foxes have drawn an "extensive number" of visitors to the Bear Swamp Loop. Some of them have been blocking the main road, parking illegally, and setting up lawn chairs to try to see and photograph the foxes.
There have also been reports of people blocking the mother from returning to the kits, and even attempts to lure the foxes with dog toys.
At least one accidental death of a fox has been reported. According to a social media post from Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuges in late March, a mother fox was trying to escort its young kit off the road back to safety as people stopped in their cars, but the baby fox ran under a stopped car and was struck and killed as the driver started to move.
Temporarily, Bear Swamp Loop is off-limits to motor vehicles, cyclists and hikers. The action was taken for the protection of the foxes as well as to prevent any visitors from being injured by vehicular traffic - or by wildlife that may become defensive or angry and go on the attack.
Bombay Hook also offered this guidance when encountering wildlife while visiting a refuge:
1. Give wildlife their space. At least two car lengths.
2. If you stop, pull off the road. Don't stop in the road.
3. Don't stop right next to the wildlife if they are right next to the road. They could wind up under a car.
4. Don't speed on the refuge. Don't get or be in a hurry on the refuge.
5. Stay on the road or trails.
"Remember why you came here. To slow down and reconnect with nature. Not to put nature in peril," their statement said.
as why post image or sensitive subject like this on location specific groups and why the race to out then up? Way till they leave the dens or just put on your own feed or general wildlife groups? 
