Red Fox Steals Wolf Pup from Den in Italy Nature Reserve Footage

Shocking video from Italy shows a red fox taking a wolf pup from its den. This is the first time this has been filmed.
By Newsroom | Wildlife, Italy |

Italian Nature Reserve Yields Startling Video Evidence

Recent video from an Italian nature reserve offers a stark visual record of an event previously unobserved on film: a red fox attacking and dragging out a wolf pup from its den. The footage, captured by motion-activated cameras intended to document wolf reproductive habits, shows the fox investigating the den, entering it, and emerging with a live pup. A second attempt by the fox to enter the den was also recorded.

The event unfolded at a den site where researchers had deployed five motion-activated cameras. One camera, positioned near the den's opening, recorded the red fox's actions. The video shows the fox first sniffing around the den entrance, then going inside. It reappears dragging a young wolf out. It is not yet understood if this kind of predatory behavior by a red fox towards wolf pups is a common occurrence. The exact fate of the pup, beyond its capture by the fox, remains unclear, though it is noted that the pup did initially escape back into the den.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the video from the Italian nature reserve show?
The video shows a red fox going into a wolf den and coming out with a live wolf pup. This is the first time this has been filmed.
Q: Where was the video of the fox and wolf pup taken?
The video was taken in an Italian nature reserve where cameras were set up to watch wolves.
Q: Is it normal for foxes to attack wolf pups?
It is not known if this is a common behavior for red foxes. Researchers are studying the footage to learn more.
Q: What happened to the wolf pup after the fox took it?
The video shows the fox taking the pup from the den. The pup did get away and went back into the den at first, but its final fate is not clear.