Fox cubs increasingly enter kindergarten yards, wildlife rescuer warns

Fox cubs have been entering kindergarten yards more often, creating a serious safety risk, urban wildlife rescuer Marko Olop told ERR’s “Hommik Anuga” programme. Olop, who rescues urban wildlife in Tallinn, Harju County and Pärnu County, said he receives two or three calls a day and the workload is growing.

Foxes and raccoon dogs are among the animals increasingly living in urban areas, and badgers have also become more established in cities recently. Olop said people have moved further into animals’ habitats.

When trapping a fox, Olop tries to keep human scent off the cage. He said he never touches a cage with bare hands, puts meat inside and waits. He does not trap every animal, he added, noting that foxes are known for being especially cunning.

Olop does not trap moose or bears, instead guiding them out of the city. Smaller animals such as martens should be released at least 10 kilometres away, he said. For foxes, he aims for a distance of 30 kilometres and looks for large forest areas.

Olop also helps injured wild animals. In 2025, 3,000 road traffic accidents in Estonia involved a wild animal, according to the article.

Urmas Salmu, a wildlife accident expert with the Estonian Hunters’ Society, said human activity causes stress for animals and can lead them to seek new habitats and routes. Animals use established movement corridors that have existed for hundreds of years, he said.

Salmu is testing wildlife reflectors designed to keep animals away from roads when cars approach. He said the reflected light temporarily disrupts an animal’s vision and makes it stop. Once the light disappears, the animal can continue on its way.