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MILLCREEK — A neighborhood in Millcreek is puzzled by some strange things happening with foxes and squirrels where they live.
Residents have reported five dead foxes and three dead squirrels to the Department of Wildlife Resources, and no one knows what's killed them.
The neighborhood near 4500 South and Highland Drive borders a large park owned by Salt Lake County; foxes are regularly seen there, and the area backs up against a Macey's with dumpsters outside.
Over the last few weeks, Sue Hall said she's seen sickly-looking foxes, and Jamie Walker said he has had three squirrels show up dead in virtually the same spot in his yard.
A third neighbor had a dead squirrel in their yard on April 14.
The Department of Wildlife Resources said on April 6 they went to investigate a red fox who had been reported alive but was laying in a pasture.
Millcreek Meadows, a nearby nature based mental wellness facility, said the fox was walking and collapsing, so they had it tested. The report did not show any evidence of poison, disease or attack.
But Walker said there's something strange about the dead squirrels in his yard; two have died just in the last 24 hours.
"We're worried that, you know, our pets might get into it or the kids might, you know, want to pick it up because (the squirrels) don't look like they're dead," he said.
Neighbors are worried that the squirrels may be getting into rodent poison used to protect chickens, or some other substance that's making them sick and possibly being eaten by the foxes.
"Residents need to know that the pellets you buy to kill mice and rats on your property can kill other animals up the food chain," said Hall, who owns Serendipity Stables.
DWR reports no evidence of that, but it has not yet been able to test any carcasses.
A trail camera in Millcreek Meadows has caught a coyote in the area, and workers report fox skulls were found. DWR wants anyone who finds multiple dead wildlife to call 801-491-5678.
