We see foxes a lot here. They don't attack people ever but they kill native wildlife, rabbits and chooks. If I see them I just clap and off they go. Nothing to do with male or female tbh. Nice you felt a sense of purpose and pride in your need to protect, that always feels good. If men aren't around, woman do a pretty good job of being mama tigers, that's for sure!
Haha well these are mostly city slickers. They don't see foxes much and all the outdoors stuff I've done for decades I've never seen a fox before myself. Coyotes here and there but not foxes. To some people a skunk is scary which is funny, but the fox was unexpected so all the kids were on edge.
I don't doubt a mama bear instinct that's for sure, but they had us 3 so they didn't need to do any of that. I know two or three of the moms would've stepped up if they had to though!