Foxes in the Harz: Danger from feeding! A vacation brings alarm!

Foxes in the Harz: Danger from feeding! A vacation brings alarm!

In the picturesque landscapes of the Harz, many holidaymakers use the holiday season to explore nature. One incident in particular in Rotacker, a district of Hasselfelde, caused a stir among visitors. A family spending their summer holidays there discovered a fox strolling through the holiday home complex. The vacationer captured this extraordinary experience in a video that she shared in a Harz Facebook group. It shows the fox enjoying its food in the complex's garden, but this is not without controversy. She was critical of some neighbors feeding the fox and emphasized that it is common knowledge that one should not feed wild animals. This opinion received a lot of support in the Facebook group, with many comments reinforcing their point of view by pointing out that the fox keeps coming back for food.

Feeding wild animals, especially foxes, is now a serious issue in the Harz National Park. tag24.de reports that the foxes increasingly seek proximity to people due to feeding, especially in heavily frequented areas. Henning Möller, head of the national park guard, warns of the dangers of this habit. Not only is there a risk of habituation to human food sources, but there is also a risk that the foxes end up in dangerous situations, such as in parking lots or roadsides.

The risks of feeding

Feeding foxes can have serious consequences for the animals. According to a statement from the National Park, it can cause them to lose their natural fear of people. Henning Möller makes it clear that regular feeding can turn the foxes into “problem animals” that may have to be killed because they no longer know how to feed themselves. This is an administrative offense and can be punished with high fines.

In addition, there are health risks that can arise from unsuitable food, especially for young animals. The risk of animals becoming infected with parasites or viruses increases at feeding points. The national park appeals to visitors to observe foxes from a safe distance and to refrain from feeding them. The rangers are there to educate guests about these dangers, which in most cases are met with understanding, but they are willing to issue fines if necessary.

Raising awareness about the risks of feeding wild animals is a central concern of the Harz National Park. The joint protection of nature and animals should be the top priority, especially in this beautiful environment that attracts many nature lovers. It is hoped that visitors will heed the urgent appeal not to feed wild animals in order to protect the animals' safety and the balance in their habitat.