Fox Watch Ireland

Professor Stephen Harris, Bristol University:

"The hunting brigade have tried every possible ruse to present the fox as a destroyer of the countryside, including claims that it is a rampant devourer of ground nesting birds. This prop was recently kicked from under them by Bristol University.

Professor Stephen Harris's study showed that foxes were one of the least important predators on lapwings. He said: 'We hear a great deal about foxes being serious predators. So I was surprised at how low their impact was on many types of birds. An analysis of foxes' diets showed that up to 80 per cent consisted of rabbits with the remainder made up of voles, worms and insects."

Viva - Vegetarian's International Voice for Animals, Issue 13, Winter 1999/2000.

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