Beloved Trinity fox and unofficial campus mascot Sam has died, Trinity Sustainability has said.
In a post on Instagram, the sustainability office shared that “the ethical decision” had been taken for Sam to put down, following weeks of treatment for a leg injury.
“In January, our beloved Sam the fox was picked up by [Kildare Wildlife Rescue] with the help of Biodiversity Officer Collie Ennis in the hopes that a leg injury he suffered could be treated.”
“He got loving care at Grey Abbey veterinary care to try and restore his mobility. They did all they could for weeks, but unfortunately it was not meant to be for Sam and the ethical decision was to put his down.”
“Sam had a great life as the beloved Trinity fox,” the post continued. “Rest in peace Sam!”
Sam first gained notoriety on campus around during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, after restrictions led campus – and the city centre – to be largely empty for an entire academic year.
Sam was found to have bad mange, a potentially deadly condition in foxes, but was treated with antibiotics by Ennis, making a full recovery.
Sam gained further celebrity when in April 2021 he became a father to five cubs born in the provost’s garden, having attracted a suitor who College staff nicknamed Prince.
Though it was believed and reported at the time that Sam was female, and mother to the cubs, Sam was in fact a male fox, who simply played an intimate role in the rearing of his cubs.
“It was confusing over the years as both parents were heavily involved in rearing the cubs and were regulars around college until one vanished,” Ennis said.
“It’s hard to tell without getting too close to them, which thankfully we never had much reason to do.”
However, Sam was clearly distinguished by a mark on one of his legs “in the shape of an ironing burn”, Ennis explained. “So there was only one Sam.”
“It’s an incredible story and one that’s reached so many people,” Ennis said, adding that Sam had been a constant of his routine in Trinity for the past seven years. “I obviously was very fond of him.”
Speaking to Trinity News, Ennis explained that Sam had been injured by a car. His territory also included Merrion Square which meant that he would often cross the roads around Lincoln place, where College’s main vehicle entrance is located.
“It was the only ethical thing to do to put him down,” he explained, saying that to release him again would only be to a more cruel end.
The video posted by Trinity Sustainability shows Ennis feeding Sam “his nightly treat of tuna”.
“You’re looking very well, Sam,” Ennis can be heard saying.
“Come back tomorrow I’ll bring you some more, okay?”
According to College, foxes have been breeding in the area of the Provost’s garden since 2007, at the south-west end of campus on Grafton Street.
Having become a known figure of campus life, as well as appearing in national headlines, Sam’s loss will be felt sorely by the Trinity community and beyond.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated that same was female and a mother of five. This has since been corrected following confirmation from College’s Biodiversity Officer Collie Ennis. Trinity News apologises for the error and thanks Ennis for the clarification.
