The Problem
The Red Fox was introduced from England to Victoria around 1860 as an animal to hunt for sport.
By 1888 foxes had reached southern NSW and were first recorded in the Shoalhaven Local Government area in 1907. Within 7 years of the establishment of Red Fox, there were significant declines noted in Australia's critical weight range native fauna (35gm--5.5kg).
The introduction of Red Fox in Australia has been an environmental disaster, threatening the survival of native fauna and livestock.
"Foxes cost over $200 million each year to Australia’s agricultural sector"
Foxes are known to carry and spread diseases such as Neospora caninum which greatly affects livestock health and impacts Australia's dairy industry.
Every night in Australia, over 1 million native fauna are lost to foxes and feral cats.
Australia has the worst extinction rate of native fauna, with 46 species becoming extinct since European settlement. Fox and feral cats have contributed directly to the loss of 32 of these species.
Species such as the ground dwelling Bush Stone Curlew and Eastern Quolls are now extinct in the Shoalhaven.
(Some hope: "Can extinct eastern quolls really return to the wild?" )
By 1888 foxes had reached southern NSW and were first recorded in the Shoalhaven Local Government area in 1907. Within 7 years of the establishment of Red Fox, there were significant declines noted in Australia's critical weight range native fauna (35gm--5.5kg).
The introduction of Red Fox in Australia has been an environmental disaster, threatening the survival of native fauna and livestock.
"Foxes cost over $200 million each year to Australia’s agricultural sector"
Foxes are known to carry and spread diseases such as Neospora caninum which greatly affects livestock health and impacts Australia's dairy industry.
Every night in Australia, over 1 million native fauna are lost to foxes and feral cats.
Australia has the worst extinction rate of native fauna, with 46 species becoming extinct since European settlement. Fox and feral cats have contributed directly to the loss of 32 of these species.
Species such as the ground dwelling Bush Stone Curlew and Eastern Quolls are now extinct in the Shoalhaven.
(Some hope: "Can extinct eastern quolls really return to the wild?" )
Field Day for new volunteers to undertake training on fox control
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Foxes roaming property in Broughton Vale
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What is the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program ?
The Shoalhaven Landcare Association initiated the Shoalhaven Fox Control Program in 2018.
The Program is a community-based fox control program, utilising local volunteers, engaging landholders and managers to work on private land. The program takes a regional approach to fox control and works with various government agencies in fox management, to implement a borderless control effort across the Shoalhaven.
The program estimates it has removed in excess of 4000 foxes from the Shoalhaven over the last 6 years using a variety of control methods.
Success of the program is measured by our long-term camera monitoring program, in most cases we are noting a resurgence in native fauna and a dramatic decrease in fox populations.
The Program is a community-based fox control program, utilising local volunteers, engaging landholders and managers to work on private land. The program takes a regional approach to fox control and works with various government agencies in fox management, to implement a borderless control effort across the Shoalhaven.
The program estimates it has removed in excess of 4000 foxes from the Shoalhaven over the last 6 years using a variety of control methods.
Success of the program is measured by our long-term camera monitoring program, in most cases we are noting a resurgence in native fauna and a dramatic decrease in fox populations.
What do Foxes Eat ? |
Controls |
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ln 2018, Local Land Services in Berry collected 32 fox scats from the Shoalhaven region.
These scats were analyzed to determine the diet of the foxes. The results showed that foxes were predating on Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Rat, Swamp Wallaby, Brushtail Possum, Rabbit, Wombat, Ringtail Possum, Echidna, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Sugar Gliders. Photographs of foxes that were shot were eating native wildlife. These animals were a bandicoot, carpet python, brush-tailed possum, frogs, young wallaby, young wombat, king parrot, sugar glider, elland wood ducks. Foxes are also good tree climbers and so are a threat to tree dwelling animals. |
Shoalhaven Landcare use a number of controls, including baiting, shooting and trapping.
For more information , please visit: |
FeralScan and FoxScan
FeralScan is a community website and smartphone Apps that allows you to record and map sightings, damage and control activities of a variety of pest animals throughout Australia.
FoxScan is one of the applications in Feral Scan. Use FoxScan to record fox activity, impacts, and control actions in your local area. Create a map of fox data before implementing control programs with your neighbours. Sightings and control of foxes can be uploaded to the National FoxScan database using the FoxScan application on smart phones and through the Internet. |
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How Can You Help ?
Become a Volunteer
We are seeking landholders and volunteers throughout the Shoalhaven to maintain fox control stations, monitor sensor cameras/upload data and engage in other important roles.
OR email [email protected]
Financial Support
Since its inception in 2018 the Shoalhaven Fox Control program has been funded by relatively small grants from the NSW and Federal governments, Shoalhaven Landcare and a number of generous local businesses and private donors.
Unfortunately, the availability of funds no longer match the cost of running the program, so we are undertaking a fundraising campaign to help allow the program to continue.
If you are willing to donate (which is tax deductible), please click on the DONATE NOW button.
This will take you to the NSW Landcare site to enter donation details.
Please be sure to enter 'SHOALFOX' in the comment section so your donation will be directed to our program.
You will get a tax receipt from Landcare NSW once you have completed all necessary fields.
Unfortunately, the availability of funds no longer match the cost of running the program, so we are undertaking a fundraising campaign to help allow the program to continue.
If you are willing to donate (which is tax deductible), please click on the DONATE NOW button.
This will take you to the NSW Landcare site to enter donation details.
Please be sure to enter 'SHOALFOX' in the comment section so your donation will be directed to our program.
You will get a tax receipt from Landcare NSW once you have completed all necessary fields.
Also, please complete the form below so we can send you a letter of appreciation.
Fox Control Items of Interest
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A Guide to
Cage Trapping Foxes (NSW Local Land Services) |
Canid Pest Ejector
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