The Problem
Since their introduction 160 years ago, foxes have become Australia’s number one introduced predator threatening the survival of native wildlife, threatened species and farm animals. Foxes have been estimated to cause over $227 million per annum in damages to Australia’s agricultural industries and our environment.
Australia has the worst extinction rate of mammals worldwide, with 23 species becoming extinct since European settlement. Species such as the ground dwelling Bush Stone Curlew and Eastern Quolls are now extinct in the Shoalhaven.
Last summer’s bushfires resulted in an estimated 1.2 billion native animals perishing. Every night in Australia it is estimated that well over 1 million native animals are killed by foxes and feral cats. Australia’s native wildlife are under more pressure now than ever and time is running out.
Australia has the worst extinction rate of mammals worldwide, with 23 species becoming extinct since European settlement. Species such as the ground dwelling Bush Stone Curlew and Eastern Quolls are now extinct in the Shoalhaven.
Last summer’s bushfires resulted in an estimated 1.2 billion native animals perishing. Every night in Australia it is estimated that well over 1 million native animals are killed by foxes and feral cats. Australia’s native wildlife are under more pressure now than ever and time is running out.
These foxes were shot by a volunteer at Greenwell Point on one night and show the extent of the fox problem in that area and the consequent threat they pose to wildlife.
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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 Fox Control Program ?
The Shoalhaven Landcare Association initiated the Shoalhaven Fox Control program in August 2018. The program is a landscape wide, community-based fox control program, utilising 45 local volunteers working on 35 private properties. Our plan was to design the most cost-effective system to reduce the numbers of foxes in the Shoalhaven, and we believe it is the first program of its kind in NSW.
The program initially began as a trial from Berry to Budgong but we have since expanded south to Sussex Inlet. We have plans to continue expansion south of Ulladulla using our well-developed template.
The success of the program speaks for itself - as of 17 March 2021, 412 foxes have been shot, 975 baits taken and 43 foxes trapped.
The program initially began as a trial from Berry to Budgong but we have since expanded south to Sussex Inlet. We have plans to continue expansion south of Ulladulla using our well-developed template.
The success of the program speaks for itself - as of 17 March 2021, 412 foxes have been shot, 975 baits taken and 43 foxes trapped.
What do Foxes Eat ?
ln 2018, Local Land Services in Berry collected 32fox scats from the Shoalhaven region. These scats were analysed to determine the diet of the foxes.
The results showed that foxes were predating on Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Rat sp, Swamp Wallaby, Brushtail Possum, Rabbit, Wombat, Ringtail Possum, Echidna, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Sugar Gliders.
Local professional shooters have shot over 650 foxes in that last 5 years. 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, eeland wood ducks.
Foxes are also good tree climbers and so are a threat to tree dwelling animals.
The results showed that foxes were predating on Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Rat sp, Swamp Wallaby, Brushtail Possum, Rabbit, Wombat, Ringtail Possum, Echidna, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Sugar Gliders.
Local professional shooters have shot over 650 foxes in that last 5 years. 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, eeland wood ducks.
Foxes are also good tree climbers and so are a threat to tree dwelling animals.
Controls
Shoalhaven Landcare use a number of controls, including baiting, shooting and trapping.
For information on baiting, please visit The Facts about 1080 Baiting.
For information on baiting, please visit The Facts about 1080 Baiting.
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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What can You Do ?
The program has been entirely manned by volunteers, both on the committee and on ground.
We are currently looking for landholders with properties larger than 35ha, and volunteers to join the program.
We need volunteers to maintain fox control stations, monitor sensor cameras, monitor fox traps, train other fox controllers and carry out administration.
We are currently looking for landholders with properties larger than 35ha, and volunteers to join the program.
We need volunteers to maintain fox control stations, monitor sensor cameras, monitor fox traps, train other fox controllers and carry out administration.
OR email slafoxcontrol@gmail.com
Sponsors
Shoalhaven Landcare Association
would like to thank the following companies
for their generous support of the
Shoalhaven Fox Control Program.
would like to thank the following companies
for their generous support of the
Shoalhaven Fox Control Program.
Fox Control Items of Interest
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Canid Pest Ejector
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Fox Cull Leads to Return of the Birds
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