The city is, once again, having a love affair with a fox.

The Capitol Hill Fox, as he’s called, has been spotted several times on or near the Capitol grounds in the past few weeks, resting in the grass or brutally eating a squirrel in front of tourists. The Architect of the Capitol tweeted out a photo of the fox this morning. And a reader sent in photos of a fox roaming around the Garfield Park neighborhood, which is located about a mile from the Capitol building.

The National Park Service does not keep track of how many foxes live in the city. But NPS park ranger Mary Willeford Bair says it’s more than you’d think. She pointed to a runner’s recent account of seeing five at Hains Point. (She also points out that the fox spotted on the National Mall is likely not the same one at the Capitol: “They have established territories.”)

The National Mall & The Red Fox from Marilyn Stone on Vimeo.

“We seldom have issues with foxes at National Mall and Memorial Parks,” Willeford Bair said via email. “The only one we had problems with during the past seven years of my being in D.C. was one that had been fed by people. The animal had lost fear of people and was even ‘begging for food.’ It is illegal to feed animals in a national park. U.S. Park Police assisted me by contacting the individual (a known repeat offender) and stopped the feeding.

“Natural resource staff then worked to instill fear of humans back into the animal. This took some time but we were successful and had no more issues.”

Instilling fear back into a fox happens “by doing ‘unfriendly’ and unpredictable actions,” Willeford Bair said. “Only people experienced with wildlife should participate in the reconditioning of an animal’s behavior. That said, when the animal approached us, we would yell, clap hands, make a short charge toward the animal, etc. Basically, let the animal know humans are not friendly and are no longer a source of a free meal. Keep in mind, this harassment should not be done to an animal that has not to become accustomed humans.”

Willeford Bair says people should let the Capitol Hill Fox, and all other foxes, carry on with their business.

But if you’re interested in learning more about the wild animals in D.C., City Wildlife, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, offers seminars on “wildlife behavior, how to prevent conflicts with native wild animals, and how to take calls from members of the public seeking advice on what to do with injured and orphaned wildlife.” The next seminars will be held at the National Zoo on February 16 and March 2. Email info@citywildlife.org for more information.