15/10/2026
We are happy to welcome Jodie O'Regan from the Urban Fox Survey for Day 2 of our Biodiversity Conference with her talk "The Urban Fox Survey: The Underexplored Potential of Citizen Science and Wildlife Rescues as Research Tools."
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a very successful canid that lives as a nocturnal omnivore and opportunistic scavenger. This uniquely versatile lifestyle has allowed them to thrive in cities in Ireland and the UK. However, their growing presence is a divisive phenomenon due the potential human-wildlife conflicts associated with fox activity. This two-year study uses citizen science and wildlife rescue data to investigate the presence of foxes in Irish cities, as well as their habitat preferences, common risks, and relationships with humans. A 14-month citizen science survey revealed that foxes are indeed abundant in cities, and citizen science is an efficient, cost-effective method for gathering wildlife data that benefits researchers, wildlife rehabbers, and members of the public. Wildlife rescues, another significant source of data, are often underutilised in research. Our study highlights the positive impact of working with wildlife volunteers and emphasises the necessity for more studies to utilise such valuable data. Red foxes are a model species for successful adaption to urban habitats, so understanding the characteristics that influence their distribution can better inform the work of rehabbers and government bodies when designing management plans for wildlife. While foxes have a positive role in urban ecosystems controlling pest populations and scavenging roadkill and waste, it is vital that city councils and wildlife services monitor the potential human-wildlife conflicts that foxes may introduce.
Join us on Day 2!
Tickets through Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kildare-biodiversity-conference-2026-tickets-1996629454446
Link in Bio.