There has been an ongoing conflict on San Juan Island in Washington State, which has placed photographers in the middle of the tension. The focus of the conflict is the island’s red foxes, which have become the poster child for a campaign against change and a desire for seclusion. Glenn Nelson, a former reporter for The Seattle Times and founder of The Trail Posse, has spent the past two years investigating what he calls “the fox war.” In his special report, Nelson explores the island’s history, ecosystem, and the unreasonable animosity some people have towards photographers.
The conflict began five years ago when a nature photographer named Kevin Ebi took a viral photo on San Juan Island. The photo showed a young red fox carrying a rabbit in its mouth, only to have it snatched away by a bald eagle. This photo attracted the attention of photographers worldwide, leading to an influx of visitors to the island. However, this increase in tourism has not been welcomed by the island’s residents.
The conflict on the island is not solely about the foxes. It is also about a desire for a quiet existence and the battle over ownership of the island and what it represents. The red foxes themselves are not native to the island and were introduced in the 20th century to control the rabbit population. Despite being non-native, the red foxes are still worthy of protection, though there is little evidence to suggest they are in danger.
A volunteer group called the Fox Brigade was formed to educate visitors on how to observe the foxes safely. However, conflicting reports have emerged about the behavior of both photographers and locals. Nelson witnessed instances of locals feeding foxes, unleashing dogs near dens, and blaming such tactics on photographers.
The conflict has resulted in harassment and bullying of photographers, who are being blamed for disrupting the island’s peace and tranquility. The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau acknowledges that photographers are easy targets but argues that they are being unfairly singled out.
The park’s regulations aimed at protecting the foxes have also impacted photographers. Access to certain areas has been restricted, making it more difficult to capture photos of the foxes. Photographer Max Waugh even had to cancel his guided tours due to these restrictions.
In conclusion, the conflict on San Juan Island is complex and goes beyond the presence of photographers. It involves a desire for seclusion and ownership of the island, as well as protection of the red foxes. The actions of both photographers and locals have contributed to the tension, and the regulations put in place to protect the foxes have affected the ability of photographers to capture images of them.