Zao Fox Village in Japan

July 27, 2015


A Facebook friend brought this to my attention and it was just too cute not to share.

I do have questions, though, like where the foxes came from in the first place. The Village doesn’t seem to have a website (at least not in English) so I’m not sure if these foxes descend from wild rescues, or from fur farm foxes, or whether they were captured directly from the wild (in which case, I’d feel less warm and fuzzy about the whole thing).

9780988163850-HARDCOVER.inddThese foxes are socialized, but they are not domesticated. Still, many of the behaviours shown in the video (especially foxes mischievously tugging on the woman’s clothing) reminded me of the glorious day I got to spend with true domestic foxes while researching Fox Talk.

And yes, they really do sound like that. 🙂

More info on the Village is here, and here, with some adorable photos.

What do you think? Would you visit Fox Village, or does the idea of captive foxes make you unhappy? Have you had encounters with wild foxes? How do they compare?

 



8 Comments on ‘Zao Fox Village in Japan’

  1. They are so cute! Need my son to come in and translate. lol

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  2. We have wild foxes here where we live, but it is rare to actually see on. They work very hard to stay hidden. Every once in a while we will see one dash across the road. I’m wondering why they are breeding them.

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    1. Foxes are an important animal in Japanese myth and culture, but the internet says Japan has a number of other animal sanctuaries as well. I really wish I’d been able to find their website.

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    2. I just heard about this place. The foxes are beautiful — of course. I am wondering the same thing — “why are they breeding them?” I have visited a number of sanctuaries in my life, and never have I ever seen one that breeds animals. Breeding may occur when a species is on the brink of extinction, but then, no visitors allowed in that case. In a true sanctuary, animals are not tethered or kept in cages. There is no money-making activity all around it for tourists, like gift shops and restaurants. People go to be in the presence of animals who have been rescued from neglect and abuse. NO BREEDING. I am highly suspicious of this operation. Where are all these foxes going? It looks like here is a maternity ward and nursery there for many births. Where are the older foxes going? The grounds would be over-run in a few short years. I have to look into how long this place has been operating and what happens to the plush adult foxes — I highly suspect into fur coats. A tourist attraction/petting zoo — making money all the way up to the REAL cash at the end. I could be wrong, so I will do my research.

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      1. If you’re able to find more info, Sandra, I’d be interested to see the links. I spent about an hour online and the only info I came across in English was definitely of the “check out this great tourist attraction” variety. Your point about breeding is a valid one, for sure – there are very few justifiable reasons for captively breeding animals that are doing just fine in the wild.

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      2. I have the same concerns and am having a difficult time finding answers. A fur farm disguised as a sanctuary? I think so. Please let me know if anyone finds out any relevant info.

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    1. Wow, that was the first negative review I’d seen, and it is pretty awful. Thank you for sharing.

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