As soon as the name of fox comes, the picture of cunningness and deception often emerges in the mind.
You must have also heard dialogues like 'fox's trick' or 'he is planning like a fox' in films. Not only in films, fox is also often mentioned in this way in everyday conversations.
But think, what would happen if the same fox which we remember again and again in our conversations gradually starts disappearing from around us?
Well, what difference will it make if the number of foxes decreases? But the decline of any one animal in nature can affect the number of other organisms and the entire system of the environment.
According to people working for animal welfare and some studies, for the last few years the number of Indian foxes has been continuously decreasing and the number of peacocks has increased. Data from 'The State of India's Birds 2023' shows that the number of peacocks in Tamil Nadu has increased six times.
So are the decline in the number of Indian foxes and the increasing number of peacocks linked?
What is the Indian fox like?
According to some studies done on the Indian fox, it is a small animal of the dog family, which is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Apart from India, it is also found in large numbers in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Indian foxes generally live in dry areas, scrub forests, dry grasslands and areas with thorny plants.
The Indian fox is considered to be an omnivorous animal, which searches for prey according to its surrounding environment and available food.
Insects, small creatures like rats, small mammals, reptiles, small birds, eggs and fruits are part of its diet.
For this reason, the Indian fox plays the role of an important hunting animal in the environment of dry areas. By eating rats, insects and other small creatures, it remains an important part of the food chain.
According to a report by Coimbatore's Zoo Outreach Organisation, "Indian foxes are often seen in farms and around human settlements. This shows that they have a good ability to adapt to the presence of humans."
Their breeding season lasts from December to January. After a pregnancy of about 50 to 53 days, a female gives birth to two to four children.
Foxes are decreasing rapidly
According to 'The Journal of Threatened Taxa', "Indian foxes make dens in the ground. Their habitat is being lost due to the conversion of barren land and grasslands into agricultural land."
According to this, "due to this, there has been a significant decline in the number of Indian foxes and the areas where they are found."
"The biggest threats to Indian foxes are caused by humans. These include hunting by humans, habitat loss, and diseases spread by wild dogs."
Wildlife researcher Moinuddin says, "There have been very few studies on the Indian fox species. Therefore, even in Tamil Nadu, it is not known exactly in which areas it is found. Systematic data regarding their numbers is also not available."
He says, "Systematic field studies should be conducted on Indian foxes in Tamil Nadu. Information related to their habitats and numbers should be recorded."
Vinod Kumar says, "Only three confirmed sightings of Indian foxes have been recorded in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu in the last ten years. These foxes were seen in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts."
Superstitions and traditional practices
According to the Forest Department of Tamil Nadu, a tradition called 'Bengal Fox Jallikattu' was performed in some areas of Salem district during Pongal.
Due to the strict rules of the Forest Department and efforts to spread awareness, this has now been stopped.
According to a report in the English newspaper 'The Hindu', "During this event, a Bengal fox was caught from the forest and brought in a procession to the local temple."
"In the temple, a rope was tied to its leg and it was made to run through the streets of the village. After this, the fox was taken to every house in the village and special puja was performed. Finally, it was released back into the forest."
Regarding this, Vinod says, "Such traditions may have some cultural history. Despite this, catching and killing wild animals can have a serious impact on these animals, which are already found in small numbers."
"Such activities are prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act of India."
Vinod explains, "Indian foxes were earlier placed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. After changes in the law in the year 2022, it was included in Schedule I."
"After this change, Indian foxes have also received the highest legal protection equal to tigers."
Unique tradition related to fox
There is also mention of such a religious tradition in some documents, in which people worshiped the Indian fox as a deity due to fear of being bitten by it.
According to a research article, in the beginning of the 20th century, a tradition named 'Bagla Puja' was performed in the Rangpur area of present-day Bangladesh.
The research article says, "A large number of local people, followers of both Hinduism and Islam, worshiped a deity named 'Bagla Baba' and the Indian fox considered to be his vehicle."
"There was a belief among the people that if they surrendered themselves to these divine powers, they would be protected from the bite of the Indian fox."
"In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dogs and Indian foxes were found in large numbers in the peri-urban and rural areas of Bengal."
"At that time, there were no hospitals in these areas where dog or Indian fox bites could be treated. Because of this, there was a lot of fear among the people and hence this puja was performed."
According to the research article, people also believed that worshiping the Indian fox would not only provide them protection from that animal, but could also give them some of its powers.
What is the relationship between the number of peacocks and Indian foxes?
For 'The State of India's Birds 2023' report, 942 species of birds were surveyed across the country.
Scientist Suhail Quader, who was involved in this survey, told BBC that through this it was found that the number of peacocks in Tamil Nadu alone has increased six times.
Salim Ali Center of Ornithology and Natural History located in Anaikatti, Coimbatore also counted peacocks in Tamil Nadu.
It was estimated that the average number of peacocks in the state could be around 60,85,073. Whereas their minimum estimated number was said to be around 37,76,698.
78.70 percent of the farmers who participated in the survey of peacocks conducted by this organization said that their crops suffer losses due to peacocks.
The report said that the decline in the number of animals like wild cats, Indian foxes, jackals, muskrats and mongooses that prey on peacocks is a major reason for the increase in the number of peacocks.
Why is the fox important for the ecosystem?
Vinod says, "Indian foxes can hunt birds, their eggs and babies. The decline in the number of predatory animals like Indian foxes and jackals, in a way, causes the number of peacocks and other animals to increase."
"Animals like the Indian fox are part of a natural system that keeps populations of small animals in check."
"Removing predatory animals alters this natural balance. This could ultimately lead to adverse consequences for agriculture and people."
A study states that creatures like rats form a major part of the diet of Indian foxes. Therefore, the Indian fox plays an important role in controlling the population of these creatures.
Centipedes, ground crabs and bird eggs have also been recorded as food for Indian foxes in different areas.
'It's been six years since I saw the Indian fox'
Vinod says, "If prey is not present, even a prey animal cannot survive."
"For example, in southern parts of Tamil Nadu, hedgehogs have been part of the diet of Indian foxes. But hedgehog numbers have also declined in recent years."
"Maintaining connectivity between their habitats, reducing unnecessary habitat changes, and preventing hunting can help save this species."
Vinod says, "It's been six years since I saw an Indian fox in the wild. I hope I won't have to wait another six years to see another Indian fox."
