Tag: fox control

Push for community to aid pest effort

Push for community to aid pest effort

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Foxes are highly adaptable, resilient and cunning pests that prey on both native wildlife and livestock and are considered a threat to 14 species of birds, 48 mammals, 12 reptiles and two species of amphibians.

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A fox caught was spotted using infrared cameras in September last year. Foxes have been known to take shelter in coastal vegetation and around homes.

These predators have been declared ‘established invasive animals’ by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, and a single fox can consume thousands of native animals every year.

You can help to deter the predatory pests and support Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) and Surf Coast Shire Council fox control efforts by removing potential food and shelter sources from your property.

Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rose Hodge, said foxes were opportunistic, meaning people could easily unwittingly feed or shelter the pests.

“Within our coastal environments and around our homes, there is an abundance of food available for foxes,” Cr Hodge said.

Vanessa Pike Fox 3.jpg
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has played a significant role in the decline of ground-nesting birds, small mammals and reptiles. Photo: Vanessa Pike

“We can all help reduce these food sources by minimising the amount of food left outside, particularly overnight, by covering compost, ensuring rubbish bins are fully closed and cleaning up fallen fruit regularly.”

GORCC Environmental Projects Coordinator Alex MacDonald said homeowners should remove structures around their property where foxes may seek refuge or shelter including woody weeds such as boxthorn and blackberries, rubbish piles and old machinery.

“Fencing off rock piles, building materials, hay bales, woodpiles, and underneath houses will also help reduce hiding places foxes can live in,” she said.

GORCC and Council are working together to reduce fox numbers on the coast, with GORCC leading intensive on-ground eradication efforts and monitoring programs in coastal areas with Council funding support.

Council also runs separate fox eradication initiatives on land it manages as part of its annual pest plant and animal programs.

“Fox control requires an ongoing effort and our best chance of reducing numbers on the Surf Coast is for communities and land managers to work together,” said Ms. MacDonald.

Foxes are a particular threat to local, beach nesting Hooded Plovers, with the predators thought to have been behind the disappearance of multiple chicks, eggs and adult birds over the past two years.

“Point Impossible, Point Roadknight and Moggs Creek are being particularly targeted as these sites are known Hooded Plover breeding zones,” said Ms. MacDonald

For more information on pests on the coast and how you can help visit www.gorcc.com.au or www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

How do you help deter foxes and pest animals around your home? Let us know in the comments below. 

 

 

Sensors to stop stealthy predators

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Data collected by Parks Victoria using infrared camera trapping is helping keep track of  threatened species and monitor the control of predators like cats and foxes. It sounds very technical but according to a recent Surf Coast Times article it’s easy, cheap and causes minimal disturbance to native wildlife.

How does infrared camera trapping work?

Digital cameras are set up at various montitoring sites and help researchers to determine the effectiveness of their current fox and cat control methods.  The cameras not only collect images of predators but have taken some great pictures of rarely seen native wildlife.

The monitoring is helping to collect data on mammals and birds where is the past information was based on estimates and guess work.

A fox is caught in the act as it passes an infrared motion sensor site. Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria

Where are the cameras located?

Monitoring has taken place over 4 years in more than 40 sites in the Anglesea Heath and the Great Otway National Park.

The results so far…

The data collected has shown small mammal numbers are increasing and rare animals like the Bandicoot are being spotted  more frequently.

The research has also found rainfall is a key factor in wildlife population changes. When there is better rainfall in a season more animals were caught on film. This is because  better plant growth means more insects for the wildlife to feed on which then results in a  better breeding season with more babies.

Lots of small mammals have been spotted by the cameras. Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria.

Have the cameras caught anything interesting?

Two male Scarlet Robins were caught having a territorial dispute.

Also spotted were the White Footed Dunnart, Southern Brown Bandicoots, a long-nosed Bandicoot, Button Quail, Owlet NightJars, Echidna, Possum and Currawong.

To read the full article click here.

More information about Parks Victoria and this project is available at www.parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 131 963.

Cats and foxes are highly prevalent on the Surf Coast to learn more about these predators check out these links.

Who let the cats out? A blog about cat curfews on the Surf Coast.

Predatory pests targeted in Juc  a blog about fox trapping in Jan Juc.

Click here  to learn about more ways you can help to protect native wildlife.

Predatory pests targeted in Juc

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Jan Juc Coast Action group is embarking on a fox control program in an effort to protect the local environment from the predatory pests.

Jan Juc Coast Action chairperson Luke Hynes said foxes were highly destructive to both flora and fauna.

“Foxes not only prey on native animals, but increase the spread of invasive weeds by dispersing weed seeds through their droppings and it is imperative that we reduce their impact,”  he said.

Foxes not only prey on native animals, but increase the spread of invasive weeds by dispersing weed seeds through their droppings and it is imperative that we reduce their impact.

“They are becoming more prevalent in the Jan Juc area, often being sighted around supermarkets and suburban backyards,” he said.

This confident fox was snapped in a Jan Juc residents backyard.

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) conservation officer Georgie Beale said foxes could also be found in coastal vegetation, and that fox dens were a common sight in the dunes.

“The fox is a clever and oppotunistic predator , and carcasses of penguins and other small marsupials can be seen around their dens and scattered through the dunes.

Red Fox with bandicoot. Courtesy of DPIW Tasmania

“Ground nesting birds such as the hooded plover are particularly at risk. GORCC fences plover nesting areas in an attempt to not only protect this threatened species from dogs, but from foxes, ” she said.

Jan Juc Coast Action’s program involves trapping the foxes with soft jaw traps and does not utilise and bait in order to protect dogs.

GORCC is ordering and purchasing equipment for the group in support of the program.

“We are investigating different methods fox control, and are happy to be able to assist the group in this important program,” Beale said.

The Otway Coast Committee’s recent success using soft jaw traps for fox and feral cat trapping is serving as inspiration for the group.

OCC executive officer Gary McPike said about 30 foxes in total had been caught on beaches and foreshores in almost 18 months.

“This is a fantastic result for our native birds and animals. At the start of last year’s hooded plover breeding season three foxes were trapped inside one of our nesting areas in the one weekend.

” As a result, for only the second time in 10 years, at lease one plover chick grew to be a fledgling,” he said.

Traps are set away from beach access points and warning signs request dog owners keep their animals under control and stick to the paths.

If you would like to assist Jan Juc Coast Action in their work please call Luke Hynes on 0406 113 438.

This column was featured in the Surf Coast Time’s fortnightly Going Green Column.

Further resources:

Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994

European Red Fox information factsheet

What do you think?

Have you seen any foxes in your area?

Have you come across foxes anywhere else on the coast?

What are your thoughts about the control of foxes along the surf coast?