Some Of Island Beach State Park's Foxes Felled By Mange

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK - Don't feed the foxes. For years that familiar sign greeted visitors as they made their way down Shore Road at the popular state park.

But these days, the foxes may be harder to find.

The state Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife had to euthanize three foxes at the park in late summer of 2016. They were suffering from mange and had to be put out of their misery.

Although no exact count has been done of the remaining foxes the park, estimates are between three and five, said DEP spokesperson Caryn Shinske.

"It's a very rough estimate," she said. "There's been no formal count."

Sarcoptic mange is probably the biggest killer of red foxes and coyotes in New Jersey and is highly contagious, according to the DEP's website. It can be easily spread. It is caused by an infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei canis, a burrowing mite. It causes intense itching from an allergic reaction to the mite, which results in hair loss.

All red foxes and coyotes may have a few of the mange mites on their body, but weak and stressed animals (young, old, injured, etc.) are the most susceptible. The mites are spread through contact with sites (dens, etc.) where the mites are present or through contact with infected animals.

Photo: Courtesy of the state Department of Environmental Protection