Scientists have documented the first known case of a red fox preying on a wolf pup, captured on video in a nature reserve near Rome. The footage, from the Castelporziano Presidential Estate, shows a fox entering a wolf den and attacking a pup, overturning assumptions about the hierarchy between the two species.
Researchers from the University of Sassari had set up motion-activated cameras to monitor wolf breeding behaviour. One night, a red fox was seen investigating the den, feeding on remains, then dragging a live pup outside. The cub escaped briefly, but the fox returned and carried it away, presumed killed and eaten.
The study, published in Current Zoology, notes that only one pup was detected afterwards, suggesting the fox's predation was successful. The wolf pack subsequently abandoned the den. Scientists say the fox's behaviour, despite ample alternative prey, highlights its opportunistic feeding strategy.
This observation broadens understanding of threats to wolf offspring, showing that even medium-sized carnivores can impact apex predators. The authors stress the value of field monitoring in capturing such unexpected interactions.
