Models for Predicting Urban Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Numbers in British Cities and their Application for Rabies Control

Abstract

(1) By using data from surveys of fox numbers and distributions in several British cities, simple multiple regression predictive models are developed which, it is suggested, can be used to predict the distribution and numbers of foxes in any British city. (2) The models show that fox density increases with the amount of owner-occupied housing in the town and the amount of urban fringe land but decreases with the amount of council-rented housing, industry, fields and with housing occupation density. (3) The value and application of these models in a rabies event are described and scope for possible improvements in the model are discussed.