European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were introduced to
Australia by colonial huntsmen wanting sport. Several
introduction events occurred in the mid-nineteenth century, with
establishment following two releases at Ballarat and Geelong in
Victoria in 1871.
Foxes are now found over all of mainland Australia, except the
tropical north. It only took 100 years for this distribution
to occur. Foxes are highly adaptable, and can
survive in alpine and arid areas, although they are most abundant
in urban areas and lightly wooded areas within agricultural
landscapes where food is freely available.
The combined economic and environmental impact of this species
is greater than for any other introduced vertebrate, totaling
around $227.5m per year. They are Australia's number one predator,
and there are reports of them taking up to 30% of lambs in some
areas.
Native wildlife threatened by the fox include the rock-wallaby,
numbat, brush-tailed bettong and greater bilby.
A full listing of species impacted by the fox has been
developed by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the
Arts. Foxes have played a significant role in the decline of
ground-nesting birds. Predation by the fox is
listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999.
In 2001 evidence began to emerge suggesting that foxes had
been introduced to Tasmania - previously a last refuge for many of
our ground-dwelling native mammals and birds. The
Tasmanian
Department of Primary Industries and Water estimates that 78
native vertebrate species would be at risk if the fox established
in that state. Visit their site for more information.
Foxes are usually managed by a combination of trapping, shooting
and baiting. Poisoning is problematical, as many land
managers are reluctant to use baits that may also be taken by
domestic or working dogs, and for which there has been no
treatment.
What are we doing?
The IA CRC has been working on a new bait product which has
shown considerable promise in trials on foxes. It is very
specific to canids and felids and fast acting, with no visible
signs of distress as animals are rendered unconscious
rapidly. In addition, there is an antidote that may be given
to any domestic dogs that take baits accidentally.
Our goal is that this new tool, in combination with other
initiatives such as the development of an attractant spray product,
Feralmone, and a mechanical means of improving bait uptake
(M-44
ejectors), will reduce the impact of foxes by 10% by 2012.
The IA CRC recently funded a review to investigate the fox
management program in Tasmania. The resulting report, "Foxes
in Tasmania", contains risk analyses, management strategies and
recommendations for future management which could be adapted to
other areas of Australia.
We are further supporting the
eradication of foxes in Tasmania by undertaking a comprehensive
survey of predator scats collected in that state. Our
researchers have developed a sophisticated DNA-based species
identification test which enables scats to be analysed and
positively identify samples which come from foxes. Obtaining
proof in this way escalated funding and management processes aimed
at targeting eradication efforts. The project also involves
training selected community groups in the identification and
collection of predator scats, and provides a coordination facility
to ensure collection is systematic.
The IA CRC, together with the Bureau of Rural Sciences is also
sponsoring a University of Western Australia project to collect and
analyse fox scats Australia-wide. Over 3,600 samples
have been catalogued, had their DNA extracted, undergone the PCR
process and genotyping. The data will be used to improve fox
management strategies. Learn more by visiting the Fox DNA
Project website: www.foxDNA.animals.uwa.edu.au.
A new book "Improving Fox Management Strategies in Australia"
(Saunders and McLeod 2007) has been launched by our participants,
NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Bureau of Rural
Sciences. It is available at no cost from the BRS shop.
