CENTRE COUNTY, Pa — Concern is growing in Centre County after several reported sightings of a fox in Ferguson Township.
The fox has been spotted near West College Avenue between Blue Course Drive and Corl Street.
"We've received several calls from folks throughout Ferguson Township about some foxes that have been sighted that appear to be injured and or sick," said Pennsylvania Game Warden Mike
Steingraber also said he has seen pictures of the fox but hasn't seen it in person yet.
“From the pictures that we've seen, the fox does seem to have a case of mange, but there's no telling what else may be wrong with that animal,” Steingraber says.
There are a lot of foxes as a part of the wildlife, and they do develop diseases from time to time.
“Mange has been brought up. You can pretty easily tell that it's got something wrong with it because it will have significant hair loss. Some symptoms of rabies can be confusion, falling over, not acting right, standing still, walking around in circles in some cases. It’s not the stereotypical anger or aggression and foaming of the mouth,” Steingraber clarifies.
People often think that when they see a fox or a raccoon during the day, that means it's sick. However, that's not necessarily the case.
“State College is a unique community in that we have a pretty urban environment here with some diverse wildlife pockets here and there, scattered throughout the community, so it's not uncommon at all to see wildlife here in State College, and it's not uncommon to see animals like foxes and raccoons during the day because, hey, maybe they just want to go out during the day,” says Steingraber.
He wants to remind people to be safe and do not approach a wild animal. If you see one you think may be sick, give his office a call.
PA Game Commission Office 570-398-4744, speak to a dispatcher or leave a detailed message.
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