Leslie Massey
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native species of the northern hemisphere, but it has become an invasive species in Australia, causing significant economic and ecological damage. Red foxes were introduced to the continent by European settlers in the 1800s for recreational hunting with foxhounds. Since then, they have spread throughout most of mainland Australia, including Western Australia, where they pose a particular threat to native fauna and agriculture. Their presence has been linked to the decline and extinction of several native species, and they are known to prey on free-range poultry, lambs, and kid goats. Western Australian authorities employ various methods, including aerial and hand baiting, to control fox populations and mitigate their impact on the environment and local industries.
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What You'll Learn
- Foxes were introduced to Australia in the 1800s for hunting purposes
- They are considered a pest and a threat to native fauna
- Foxes have caused the extinction and decline of native species
- Control methods include baiting, trapping, and shooting
- Fox management is challenging due to their breeding and hunting habits
Foxes were introduced to Australia in the 1800s for hunting purposes
Foxes are a recognised pest in Australia, causing economic losses by preying on free-range poultry and occasionally young lambs and goats. They are also responsible for the extinction and decline of several native species. The European red fox was introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s, with the earliest recorded instances being in 1833 and 1845. The introduction of the species was to uphold the traditional English sport of fox hunting.
The red fox is the only species of fox found in Australia, and it is characterised by its reddish-brown coat, white or black tail tip, and pointed nose. They are mainly nocturnal hunters and have a large home range, travelling up to 15 kilometres per night in search of food. Foxes are opportunistic predators and highly adaptive, thriving in both regional and urban areas.
The spread of the red fox population in Australia has had a significant ecological impact, leading to the decline of several native terrestrial marsupials, including the brush-tailed bettong, the Greater bilby, and the numbat. Foxes have also learned to climb trees, posing a threat to birds and sugar gliders, among other creatures. The success of the red fox as an apex predator in Australia can be attributed to the absence of large mammalian carnivores, except for dingoes, which occasionally hunt foxes.
Managing fox populations in Australia is challenging due to their excellent camouflage and breeding capabilities, as well as their widespread distribution across remote and inaccessible terrain. However, control methods such as baiting, trapping, and shooting are utilised to protect native fauna. Research suggests that the presence of competitive species, such as dingoes and Tasmanian devils, can help control fox populations and increase native fauna.
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They are considered a pest and a threat to native fauna
Foxes are considered a pest in Western Australia due to their impact on native fauna and the environment. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was introduced to Australia in the 1800s, and has since become established across the mainland, including Western Australia. They are recognised as a primary threat to native species and are implicated in the decline and extinction of many small to medium-sized native mammals and marsupials.
The Western Australian conservation department, CALM, estimates that introduced predators like foxes are responsible for the extinction of ten native species in the state. Foxes have been directly linked to the extinction and decline of populations in the Potoroidae family, including the desert rat-kangaroo. The spread of the red fox population corresponds with the decline of several endemic terrestrial marsupials, such as the brush-tailed bettong, burrowing bettong, rufous bettong, Greater bilby, numbat, bridled nailtail wallaby, and the quokka.
Foxes also cause economic losses by preying on free-range poultry, lambs, and kid goats, impacting agricultural practices. They are known to scavenge waste food, steal pet food, and kill backyard poultry in urban areas. Additionally, foxes may pose a health risk to humans and pets in high-density areas by transmitting diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and mange.
The Western Australian government has implemented various fox management programs such as the Western Shield pest management program, to control fox populations and protect native fauna. These programs utilise techniques such as aerial and hand baiting, trapping, and shooting to reduce fox densities and protect vulnerable native species.
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Foxes have caused the extinction and decline of native species
European red foxes were introduced to Australia in the 1800s, originally for the sport of hunting them. Foxes have since become one of the most damaging invasive species in Australia, causing the extinction and decline of native species.
Foxes have contributed to the extinction and decline of native species in Western Australia. The West Australian conservation department, CALM, estimates that introduced predators such as foxes are responsible for the extinction of ten native species in that state. Foxes have been directly linked to the extinction of the desert rat-kangaroo and the decline of populations of the family Potoroidae, including the brush-tailed, burrowing, and rufous bettong, the Greater bilby, numbat, bridled nailtail wallaby, and the quokka. These species now only survive on islands or in areas where foxes are absent or rare. Foxes have also been implicated in the decline of rock wallaby populations, with isolated populations of rock wallabies increasing when fox numbers are reduced.
Foxes are widespread across Australia, with an estimated population of 1.7 million, and their presence has had a significant impact on native wildlife. They are found in suburban areas and large cities, as well as forests and farms. Fox densities are highest in temperate mainland regions, and they are less common in areas where the dingo is more prevalent. The spread of the fox population across southern Australia coincided with the deliberate introduction of rabbits and hares, which are a food source for foxes and also compete with native animals for food and habitat.
The impact of foxes on native species has been so severe that the government has implemented various management and eradication programs to control their numbers. Western Australian state government authorities conduct aerial and hand baiting on almost 35,000 square kilometres to control foxes as part of the Western Shield pest management program. Fox baiting has been highly effective in reducing fox density by up to 80%. Other control methods include trapping and shooting, and the reintroduction of competitive species such as dingoes and Tasmanian devils has also been suggested.
While some researchers argue that the presence of foxes may have benefits, such as suppressing the number of rodents, rabbits, and feral cats, the overall consensus is that foxes have had a negative impact on native species in Western Australia and their management and eradication are crucial for the protection and recovery of native fauna.
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Control methods include baiting, trapping, and shooting
Red foxes pose a serious conservation problem in Australia. They are responsible for the extinction and decline of many native animal species. Foxes are widespread across Australia, and their control and management are challenging due to their excellent camouflage, high reproductive rates, and ability to rapidly reinvade areas.
In Western Australia, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) manages fox populations, particularly in areas of high conservation value and where foxes threaten significant native species. The DBCA utilises various tools for fox control, including baiting, trapping, and shooting.
Baiting is the most common control method for foxes and is the cheapest and most effective large-scale tool available. The naturally occurring poison 1080, found in certain native plant species in Western Australia, is used in baiting programs. This poison is highly selective, minimising the risk to non-target species, such as native birds, reptiles, and marsupials, which have a high tolerance for it. Baiting can be done aerially or by hand, and it can occur year-round, although intermittent 'pulse' baiting patterns have shown better results. Recent research in south-western WA has demonstrated that fox baiting can reduce fox density by up to 80%.
Trapping is another control method used for foxes. Cage traps and leg-hold traps can be utilised, especially in built-up areas where poison baits cannot be used or where landowners object to poisons and shooting. Trapping allows for the capture of mature adult foxes that are wary of baits and spotlight shooting. However, it is time-consuming and requires skill and training, and strict legislation governs trap use.
Shooting is a viable alternative in areas where foxes do not take baits or where baiting is not feasible. It is target-specific, reducing the chances of harming non-target animals. Shooting can be done year-round but should not be conducted during baiting as it can disrupt animal behaviour and reduce the effectiveness of the baiting program. For animal welfare reasons, shooting should be avoided when vixens have dependent young.
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Fox management is challenging due to their breeding and hunting habits
Foxes are also excellent at camouflage and avoiding detection, making them difficult to target for management purposes. They are found in a variety of habitats, including suburban areas, large cities, and rural areas, and they can adapt their hunting and feeding habits accordingly. Foxes in urban areas have been known to scavenge on waste food, steal pet food, and kill backyard poultry, while those in rural areas may feed on birds, mammals, and carcasses.
The distribution of fox populations across vast and remote terrain in Western Australia further complicates management efforts. Aerial baiting is the most efficient technique for controlling fox populations in these areas, covering over 3.8 million hectares of the conservation estate. Remote camera monitoring is also used to assess predator population dynamics and responses to baiting.
The impact of foxes on native species in Western Australia is significant. They have been implicated in the extinction and decline of populations of several endemic terrestrial marsupials, including the brush-tailed bettong, burrowing bettong, rufous bettong, Greater bilby, numbat, bridled nailtail wallaby, and quokka. Foxes are also known to prey on free-range poultry, lambs, and kid goats, causing economic losses for farmers.
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Frequently asked questions
Foxes were introduced to mainland Australia in the 1850s for recreational hunting and spread rapidly.
No, the red fox is a native of the northern hemisphere, occurring throughout most of Europe, Asia, North America, and the northern coast of Africa.
Yes, in Western Australia, foxes are declared pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. They are considered a significant conservation problem and are responsible for the extinction and decline of many native species.
The Western Australian state government authorities conduct aerial and hand baiting on almost 35,000 square kilometres of land to control foxes as part of the Western Shield pest management program. Other methods used to control fox populations include trapping, shooting, and den fumigation.
Foxes have caused economic losses by preying on free-range poultry, lambs, and kid goats. They have also been implicated in the decline and extinction of many native mammal, bird, and marsupial species in Western Australia.
