European Red Fox – a Feral Menace: The European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a feral species introduced to Australia for recreational hunting in the mid-1800’s. Foxes survive in many different habitats particularly lightly wooded areas typical of agricultural landscapes that offer a wide variety of shelter and food. Impact of Foxes on our Unique Environment: The fox has played a major role in the rapid decline of Australian mammals, birds and reptiles. In Western Australia foxes have contributed to the extinction of no less than 10 species of native animal and forced dozens more to fight for survival. In the Geographe Catchment foxes predate on our susceptible native animals such as the Quenda (Western brown bandicoot), Quokka, Western Ringtail Possum and Brushtail Possum. Foxes also cause significant economic losses to landholders by preying on newborn lambs, goat kids and poultry. Controlling the Threat: The main method of fox control is the naturally occurring poison ‘1080’, found in native plants called gastrolobiums or ‘poison peas’. While our native animals have evolved with these plants and have a high tolerance to the poison, introduced animals do not. 1080 is laid in eggs or meat baits that are then buried so they are less likely to be taken by non-target animals such as dogs. On-going community based baiting programs are the most effective way to control foxes. These baiting drives rely on cooperation between landholders in the GeoCatch region and are more effective at reducing fox numbers in the longer term. GeoCatch has baited about 20 000 hectares in the Busselton and Capel shires since the program began in 2006. Regular reserves that are fox baited through the program include Yoongarillup, Ruabon-Tutunup and Payne Road in the Busselton area and Gwindinup, Goodwood Road and Railway Road reserves in Capel. The list of landholders that are regularly baiting on their property in the GeoCatch region continues to grow each year. Would you like to be one of these landholders? How YOU can get Involved! · Undertake regular fox baiting on your property
· Encourage your neighbours to fox bait
· Contact GeoCatch on 97810 111 for further information. | 