PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC (WBTW) – Residents and vacationers in the town are looking out for a red fox on the South Strand island.
The fox has attracted a lot of attention on Facebook, particularly in the “I Love Pawleys Island” group.
“He’s just not even afraid of you,” a woman says about the fox in a Facebook video uploaded by Dina O’Shea.
That video is one of dozens of posts showing the unusual and sly beachgoer in Pawleys Island.
The nicknamed “Pawleys Island Fox” has surprised people living and vacationing on the Georgetown County island, where you usually find coastal creatures like pelicans.
“We see him practically every morning lately,” said Sam Harrelson, a Pawleys resident of nine years.
Harrelson says his dog Zeke chases after the fox fairly often, but isn’t fast enough.
“It’s like a Jeep trying to catch a Ferrari,” he said.
While Harrelson says he thinks there’s more than one fox, he also wants people to leave wildlife alone.
“I’m not concerned about it,” Harrelson said. “I like to see the foxes stay where they are.”
Police chief Michael Fanning says reports of foxes aren’t new on the barrier island.
“The sand dunes provide a perfect opportunity for foxes to burrow and nest,” said chief Fanning. “We’ve had them in the past. We’ve actually had a coyote or two on the island.”
Chief Fanning says the fox is typically spotted on the north end of town at sunrise and sunset, likely looking to eat ghost crabs.
While a fox on the beach is a rare sight, Pawleys police say people should keep their distance and avoid feeding the fox.
“People (may) feel that the fox is too skinny or not being taken care of and they feed it,” chief Fanning said. “Then, the fox equates the food with the human person and will approach people.”
Police say the plan is to let the fox stay, as long at it doesn’t hurt any humans or pets. If the fox becomes too comfortable around humans and pets, South Carolina law would prevent the fox from being caught and released back into the wild.
The fox would have to be euthanized unless a zoo or wildlife refuge took it in.