Thaindian News

October 17, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): A probe in the last year’s incident of 11 South African and rock hopper penguins killing, at the 182-year old Zoo in London’s Regent’s Park, revealed that they, along with flamingo chicks and some other animals, had fallen prey to fox attack.

The attack on the penguins on 18th March, 2009, is believed to have happened around dawn, between the end of night-time security’s inspection and the arrival of the day time staff. According to the report, the arriving day time staff had discovered the dead penguins and cleared away the mess before the Zoo opened for the public.

The inspectors found that the enclosures to keep foxes for long-term were inadequate. They noted that the low fencing could have allowed the animals to escape into Regent’s Park. The report ascertained the attacks on penguin and flamingo enclosures as the fence surrounding the penguin pool was found damaged, however, the staff had not reported the same to ZSL (Zoological Society London) authorities.

Westminster Council, the local authority that licenses the zoo, conducting the inquiry, found “significant problems of pest and vermin” as well.

Since January 2007, a flamingo, two South American Mara, a kind of rodent that resembles small kangaroos, and a free-range chicken also have reportedly, been the victims of such fox attacks. Snakes have escaped in public areas.

The number of urban fox population in Britain has increased to 34,000, over the past 70 years. The increase in rubbish on the city streets- inflated by the fortnightly bin collection- might be helping these animals’ increased numbers.

After the tragedy of a fox attack on two baby girls in their home earlier this year, this report is sure to rekindle the public rage.