Should we feed foxes? GMB debate is sparked by Kate Beckinsale’s divisive videos

A journalist warned it is ‘irresponsible’ to feed foxes in the garden in a GMB debate after actress Kate Beckinsale shared posts of her getting close to a wild animal in her garden. 

Mark Palmer, Travel & Property Editor at the Daily Mail, argued that foxes should not be treated as pets and warned about the damage they can cause. 

‘They come over, they bash their way through the fence. They’ve destroyed our plants, knocked over pots and everything else. It’s become really a bit of a misery,’ he said, talking about a family of eight foxes that live next door. 

Mark Palmer, Travel & Property Editor at the Daily Mail, argued that foxes should not be treated as pets and warned about the damage they can cause. Pictured, with wildlife author and gardener Kate Bradbury

Wildlife author and gardener Kate Bradbury said people should not try and ‘tame’ foxes but that it was fine to feed them occasionally. 

She said: ‘They are really good at adapting. Hats off to the foxes because they are one of the few species that can actually live alongside us and they have done a really good job at that.

‘I am not saying we should not feed them, I am not saying we should feed them, I am saying there is no harm in feeding them occasionally.’

She added that treating wild animals to try and tame them is not a good idea, as is feeding them regularly. 

Kate explained that feeding them regularly can encourage them to nest but she added that people have to accept that foxes are scavengers and that they will eat lots of different things.

Mark said that foxes are omnivores and there is plenty of food for them to eat out there without us having to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for them

Kate said that she thinks there is no harm in feeding foxes occasionally but warned people should not try and ‘tame’ wild foxes

The wildlife author said that the natural sources of food foxes gravitate towards are grubs in the soil and bugs and insects. 

Mark argued the presence of foxes can put off nesting birds, saying: ‘A lot of people love to sit in their garden and listen to the birds. But when you have foxes in the garden the birds do not want to be there.’

Kate said she hadn’t noticed that from her experience: ‘I think birds and foxes rub along quite well in my garden. The foxes are largely nocturnal and when they are out during the day they are snoozing on the shed roof.’  

Mark said that organisations such as the RSPCA are on the side of foxes but warn against feeding them. 

He said: ‘They are omnivores and there is plenty of food for them to eat out there without us having to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for them.’ 

Viewers were divided on the issue, with some describing it as ‘reckless’ and others assuring they will continue to feed their local wild foxes.  

The debate was sparked after Kate Beckinsale shared a video of her keeping a wild baby fox cool during the UK’s sweltering heatwave on Monday.

The actress, 48, took to Instagram to post an update clip of herself feeding the fox some ham along with a tray of ice after she recently found it waiting outside the door of her mother’s London home. 

The Underworld star clearly wanted the stray to stick around as she gave it some food and a rub while sat in the garden.

Viewers were divided on the issue, with some describing it as ‘reckless’ and others assuring they will continue to feed their local wild foxes 

In the first video she shared with the fox, Kate found her waiting right outside the back door. 

‘Have you come for your tea? Come on, let’s go,’ Kate said as she walked outside with the animal.

She also shared another video of her sitting at a table, feeding the baby fox a number of snacks, as the small animal puts his front two paws on her legs to reach up for the food.