Foxes are appearing more frequently in towns and cities across Russia, raiding garbage bins, stealing pets and roaming around children’s playgrounds.

The animals have been spotted in central Moscow, Krasnodar, Stavropol and Perm territories, the Leningrad and Samara regions, Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, the Moscow Region and other parts of the country, according to news.mail.

The fox population in the Moscow Region has increased by approximately 40% over the past several years, rising from 3,500 to 5,000 animals, Timur Usmanov, a member of the presidium of the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation, said.

Experts attribute the growing presence of foxes in residential areas partly to young animals leaving their families. Fox cubs born in spring have matured and are now searching for their own territories and food.

Urban development and the loss of natural habitats are also pushing the animals closer to people.

Cities offer foxes easy access to food, including garbage bins, rodents and food left out by residents. Animals that are fed by people repeatedly can quickly lose their fear of humans and return for more.

In some cases, foxes may become increasingly persistent or aggressive when seeking food.

Foxes can transmit diseases including brucellosis, leptospirosis and rabies, making close contact with wild animals potentially dangerous.

However, people have not recorded a sharp increase in animal rabies cases in the Moscow Region. Since the beginning of 2026, nine infected animals have been identified, three fewer than during the same period last year.

Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or exposed to its saliva through broken skin, should seek medical attention immediately.

Residents are advised to avoid approaching or feeding wild foxes, even when the animals appear calm or accustomed to people.