ELF THE FOX ENJOYS A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS STOCKING<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />A charming festive moment was captured when a curious group of foxes investigated a Christmas stocking left out in a quiet graveyard.<br />The footage was filmed by Dora Nightingale, a filmmaker and wildlife advocate from West Sussex, UK, who has spent years documenting urban fox families using discreet cameras and her phone.<br />The video shows a fox known as Elf, a proud father of four juveniles, interacting with the stocking before one of his daughters makes a surprise appearance.<br />The final shot reveals Elf’s daughter, Winter, snatching the stocking and running off with it, treats and all, offering a rare glimpse into playful family life among urban foxes.<br />Dora said: “Here is a still of Elf. He’s a proud dad of four juveniles, and I’ve been supporting him and his family for exactly a year now.<br />“He appeared around Christmas time last year, so Elf felt like a lovely name for him.<br />“In the final shot of the video, one of Elf’s daughters, Winter, snatches the stocking and runs off with it.<br />“It contained healthy treats like raw peanuts and dental chews.<br />“Elf didn’t belong to the previous cemetery fox clan. <br />"He’d been roaming without a territory before moving in when the space became available.<br />“He brought his vixen Eliza, and together they successfully raised four cubs. <br />"He’s a fantastic fox dad, and I feel honoured to be his guardian.<br />“For a wild urban fox, every healthy year is special. Their average life expectancy is only about 18 months.<br />“To have witnessed and supported Elf through 12 months of his adult life was the gift of 2025 to me.<br />" I’ll continue to be there for him and his family while they live their wild and free lives.”<br />ENDS
