Do not feed Yellowknife’s sick-looking fox, GNWT says

A fox that has drawn great concern from wildlife watchers in Yellowknife may look like it needs help, but experts are warning against getting too close.

Residents who are worried about the fox’s health as winter sets in have been posting about the unique-looking creature online.

Some have nicknamed the fox Anubis after the Egyptian god who was said to have acted as a guide to the underworld, among other things.

While the NWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change confirmed in September that this animal does appear to be a red fox, Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief of Ndilǫ Fred Sangris says it could be a very poorly red fox.

Chief Sangris has considerable hunting and trapping experience, having previously spent up to five months of each year trapping white foxes.

He said he has seen the animal for the past two years looking relatively well, though he’s always noticed the thin hair on the fox’s tail.

In the past few days, Sangris has spotted the creature hunting for mice in his backyard. While he noticed the animal didn’t look healthy, he’s glad it was finding a way to feed itself.

Sangris suggested the fox could have some kind of parasite such as a tapeworm, as years ago, he saw similar symptoms in sled dogs diagnosed with the condition who had thinning hair on their tails.

“If somebody’s feeding him fish,” said Sangris, “There’s always a chance of tapeworms coming from [uncooked] fish.”

Additionally, Sangris said it’s possible the fox could have contracted lice from rabbits in the area. That, he said, would cause the fox to be itchy and scratch itself more than usual, which could explain its lack of protective winter coat.

Sangris said he took a picture of the fox and sent it to the territorial government back in July. According to him, the territory didn’t seem concerned about it.

A spokesperson for ECC said anyone who spots an animal that is sick or injured should contact their local ECC office for advice.

The department stressed that people should never feed or attempt to handle wild animals.

“Feeding wildlife creates numerous dangers for the animals and the public,” a spokesperson said by email.

“For the animals, it disrupts their natural survival skills, making them dependent on human-provided food. This often leads to starvation when the feeding stops, as they lose their ability to forage effectively.”

The department added that wildlife can carry parasites and diseases that could be passed on to humans.

“The public should not interact with this fox at all,” they wrote.

Asked if the department had any intention of placing the fox in a rescue or welfare centre – as some residents have suggested online – the spokesperson said ECC does not normally take that kind of action with wild animals.

“Relocating wildlife to such facilities involves potential negative impacts on the animals, significant logistical and financial challenges, and a risk of spreading diseases,” the spokesperson wrote.

“The current condition of the fox reflects natural health issues that have been worsened by human feeding, making relocating or maintaining it in a shelter unsuitable.”