Threatened species of Vulpes bengalensis
Name(s):
Threatened species of Bengal fox
Endangered species of Indian fox
Nature
The major threat to [Vulpes bengalensis] is killing for sport and for the alleged medicinal properties of its flesh. The great majority of foxes are killed for sport and not because they pose any threat to domestic livestock. In Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, nomadic people use nets to kill foxes for flesh, teeth, claws, and skin; they also kill with hand-made animal-fat covered bombs. Local hunters readily shoot foxes, attempt to kill them with dogs, or jam den entrances with stones. Rapidly expanding human exploitation of habitable areas suggests reduced chance of survival in open parts of the country; rugged terrain may continue to provide refuge.
Background
[Vulpes bengalensis] is found in India, Pakistan, and Nepal in open country, thorny scrub or semi-desert, up to 1,350 m.
Incidence
In India the bengal fox has been eliminated by non-commercial killing from most of the plains where not protected and no significant population can be found within a protected area in India. In Nepal, there is little current information, its presence has been noted in the open farmlands of Terai, Birganj forest, Rapti valley, and in extreme western Nepal.
[Vulpes bengalensis] is considered as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 3".
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