Proliferation of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Landfill

Observation by Russell Cameron:

The fox population in Nelson Lagoon appears to be on the rise. While conducting a routine environmental health and safety inspection of the Nelson Lagoon landfill I encountered a fox. As I got out of the vehicle to take a photo, I quickly found myself surrounded by foxes. In my previous visits to Nelson Lagoon, I did not encounter fox this close to town. Both the landfill operator and VPSO report the numbers of foxes have been increasing. This rise in fox population brings the concern of rabies. Rabies has been identified by the State of Alaska as being endemic (regularly found) in the fox population in this area. I did a presentation about the problem with foxes and rabies while I was there. All of the pet vaccines for rabies are up to date, thanks to the efforts of the VPSO Mike Lejazar. Any new pets arriving into the community however, should be vaccinated if they have not been already.

Comment by LEO Editors:

You can learn more about red fox at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. For more information about rabies see the State of Alaska Epibulletin library.

This observations was shared with the Community Environmental Health specialists from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association.