The incidence of these attacks by foxes on campsites in the Sierra Nevada seems to be growing.
See our previous posts on this subject for background detail:
Foxes still a problem at high mountain camps in the Sierra Nevada
Foxy problems in the Sierra Nevada
Latest attacks from Spanish Highs Mountain Guides clients came this last week. A group of 10 clients were raided at the Laguna de Caballo. Tents were ripped and food was stolen.
Reports from the trekkers suggested that the attacks were co-ordinated. Strange this, as foxes are by nature solitary animals. It is the first reported incidence of coordinated behaviour by the foxes. The lead fox would approach the tent and attempt to draw the human away. Then other foxes would nip into the tent and quickly snatch anything available.
I myself was camping at the cu±eta de Vacares below the Puntal de Vacares last Friday evening. At 5:30 in the morning a fox ripped through my very expensive Bibler I-Tent. I managed to wake quick enough so the damage was minimal and I scared the fox away.
Why my tent and not one of the other 3 tents around me? I had no food and had cooked well away from the tents. Any rubbish was stored in plastic bags deep inside my rucksack. Only mistake I think I made was my rucksack lent against the inside of the tent. This gave the fox the location of something inside and so started to rip the tent fabric. Be warned!
Below a “tongue in cheek” video report of the Laguna de Caballo raid by Jason Leary.
