Foxes A Danger In Elmhurst? Not Really, Expert Says

Elmhurst IL

31 August, 2021

5:38 PM

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ELMHURST, IL — An Elmhurst resident drew attention earlier this month when he told the City Council about a dozen foxes in his neighborhood. The resident, John DeVae, who lives in the 800 block of Mitchell Avenue, expressed fear about what the foxes could do to people. "Being bitten by a fox in Elmhurst can happen very easily," he told the council. A wildlife expert from the DuPage County Forest Preserve had a different view. "There is a general kind of fear about carnivores and predators," Stephanie Touzalin, an education specialist with the preserve's Willowbrook Wildlife Center, said in an interview with Patch. "Foxes are a step smaller than a coyote. They really are not a danger to humans." She said foxes average 10 to 15 pounds. "They're not interested in going after large prey. They really can't. The largest would be an adult rabbit," Touzalin said. She said she hears complaints about coyotes and foxes becoming bolder in their behavior, but a lot of that has to do with "our behavior." "We unintentionally attract these animals and provide resources for them. Even bird feeders will attract creatures and then predators," she said. "It is true that wildlife in suburbia becomes a bit bolder. They come closer to people. That's always pretty much tied to people feeding animals, whether intentionally or not." As for children, she said, they should be advised never to approach wildlife such as foxes. Yet foxes are shy and do not want to approach humans, including children, let alone attack them, she said. During the council meeting, DeVae asked the city for help in relocating the foxes out of his neighborhood. But Touzalin said that probably would not be a good idea. "There are always animals that will be looking to fill the void. Could the new animal not be as good a neighbor? Best to leave it as it is," she said. When animals such as foxes are relocated, she said, they are often dropped into areas that are already occupied by animals. They end up trying to find their way back home and do not survive, she said. "Any place in the Chicago area is full of foxes and coyotes," Touzalin said. "It's not as simple as putting them somewhere else. There is not that place."