Líška Eliška (Eliška the Fox), High Tatras, Slovakia

Líška Eliška, also known to international visitors as Eliška the Fox, is arguably the most famous wild resident of High Tatras. My photo from December 2015 captures her in her absolute prime, surrounded by the pristine winter scenery of Slovakia’s tallest mountains.

I managed to take this photo of the legendary red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in her natural winter habitat along the Tatras highway (Tatranská magistrála), between Rainer’s cabin and Zamkovského chata. Eliška became an internet sensation and a beloved symbol of the region around 2014 and 2015 due to her extraordinary lack of fear around humans. She would frequently and calmly pose for hikers and photographers, showcasing her thick, vibrant orange coat against the crisp white snow.

Eliška was a local celebrity known for her peaceful interactions with visitors. Although she was a popular attraction, park rangers constantly urged tourists not to feed her to preserve her natural wild instincts and protect her health.

Copyright Milan Hutera, 2015. All Rights Reserved.