Bays Mountain Park to unveil new Fox Habitat
The City of Kingsport and Bays Mountain Park plan to unveil the new red fox habitat on November 21 at 10:30 a.m. The public and media are invited to attend this ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.
The new red fox habitat, located between the wolf habitat and the herpetarium, is a 35 foot by 55 foot wooden frame structure with wire mesh fencing and laminated arch beams. The habitat includes a small holding space, an elevated fox house, a fire hose hammock, new interpretive signs and a secondary fence around the entire structure.
The layout of the interior enrichments, including rocks and logs, were designed in-house by Bays Mountain Park Ranger Krystal Haney. Construction on the new red fox habitat began in June 2023 and wrapped up earlier this month.
Bays Mountain Park has two red foxes – Jamie (male) and Sabra (female). The new habitat can hold up to four red foxes.
The original fox habitat was constructed in the early 1970s and over the years housed a variety of animals, including a bear, coyotes, opossums and foxes.
“It was just so old, the habitat had outlived its usefulness,” said Chief Ranger Tyler Wicks. “The main part of the habitat was donated to Exotic Pet Wonderland (a fox rescue) and the concrete pad has been demolished. We believe Jamie and Sabra will love their new home.”
The red fox habitat project cost approximately $250,000, which included a $100,000 donation from the Kingsport Community Foundation for sponsorship rights.