The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native of the northern hemisphere. Since foxes were introduced to Victoria in 1855 for recreational hunting they have adapted to nearly all habitats and are now distributed across most of Australia, including Tasmania. Numbers are estimated at 1 to 10 or more foxes per square kilometre and it is thought that they may travel 10 kilometres out of their home territory. Foxes have a diverse diet including fruit and insects, preferring ground dwelling animals. They are agile and proficient at climbing structures and trees, much like a cat. Since being introduced to the Australian wild, the fox has contributed to the decline and extinction of more mammals than anywhere else in the world.
Outside of the City’s obligation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, the primary reason for undertaking a fox control program is to reduce the negative impact on the native fauna populations in bushland reserves of the City. Due to the City's predominate urban setting and proximity of natural reserves, foxes can be difficult to control as poison baits are not appropriate and foxes will live on lands owned by various agencies and people.
The most effective control is achieved during late winter and spring. At this time the mature breeding foxes are less mobile due to rearing young. At other times there is increased likelihood of capturing young animals, rather than mature adults. The removal of only young foxes may not result in a reduction in the overall population of foxes, as young fox numbers are substantially reduced in the first year as a result of food competition and predation.
Fox activity reported by residents is substantiated by setting remote cameras in reserves close to sightings. If foxes are observed by the cameras, a licensed professional pest animal contractor is engaged to use prescribed methods to control the foxes.Prescribed methods of fox control include:
1080, a Schedule 7 poison, and use and discharge of a firearm on public land in urban areas are not appropriate. Therefore, the City of Kalamunda employ physical den destruction and trapping methods in our urban and peri-urban localities.
Soft catch jawed traps and cage traps are the two methods that can be employed to capture and control foxes. The City of Kalamunda utilise the soft padded jaw traps as it is considered the method that is most efficient for our local conditions while having the lowest impact on the catch and non-target species. Only a licenced operator may trap foxes and traps are placed in reserves no longer than 2 weeks for each campaign.
Soft catch jawed traps: The use of soft catch jawed traps is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 and can only be used if the jaws are padded and modified so that the captured animal is unlikely to suffer significant injury. Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, a permit from Department of Industries and Regional Development (Agriculture and Food) is required to use soft catch jawed traps.
To minimise risks of off target capture, the minimum number of traps per trapping site are set. The traps are strategically located to minimise risk of capturing non-target species such as domestic dogs and other West Australian wildlife. Areas deemed too unsafe to trap due to risk of non-target capture, or high traffic areas are avoided.
Warning signs are erected at all entrances to the reserve. The signs warn of trapping being undertaken and that dogs must be kept on lead. In closer proximity to the traps further signs are erected stating that dogs are prohibited past that point for the duration of the trapping period. Trapped foxes are euthanized on site and disposed of at a registered disposal site.
Licenced operators provide advice to the Department on target species (foxes) and non-target species (domestic and native animal) catches. Of the catches in the Perth metropolitan area 1% were dogs, 4.3% were cats and less than 1% each rabbits and birds.
Of those animals caught in the soft jawed traps, 97.3% suffered nil to minor injury no greater than slight swelling. Less than moderate injury without broken bones and sometimes including teeth or gum damage is encountered less than 3% of the time. There were no reports of moderate, severe or extreme rated injuries involving tissue, tendon or bone damage, large cuts or lacerations.
All contractors engaged by the City are required to provide job safety analyses that detail all risks and associated management measures for people and the catch. The City seeks to ensure that all relevant Acts, regulations, guidelines and best practice are complied with for the works.
Cage traps: Whilst cage traps pose a lower risk to domestic animals than foot-hold traps, the use of cage traps on foxes dramatically reduces the capture rates on foxes compared to foot-hold traps. Few foxes are caught in cage traps (Saunders and McLeod 2007). Cage traps tend only to catch young foxes and only after much free feeding.
Den destructionWhere active fox dens are found, they are broken open and filled. Unused and inactive fox dens are GPS logged and checked as part of the on-going program. Some local governments will fumigate active dens where it is appropriate.
Outside of the City’s obligation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, the primary reason for undertaking a fox control program is to reduce the negative impact on the native fauna populations in bushland reserves of the City. The most effective control is achieved during late winter and spring. At this time the mature breeding foxes are less mobile rearing young. At other times there is increased likelihood of capturing young animals, rather than mature adults.
If you have an issue with a fox on your property please contact a pest control operator who will determine the best method of control suited to your local environment and the associated cost.
Foxes in the City most often become a problem later in the year when young foxes are dispersing. To ensure your poultry is not harmed, killed or taken by foxes, make sure they are kept in a secure pen.
If you live in a rural area, more control options are available, to investigate these please contact the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD) on 1300 374 731 (1300 DPIRD1).
Our native mammals most at risk of easy prey of foxes are small and medium-sized animals weighing 35 grams to 5.5 kilograms (kg). In the City of Kalamunda, the following fauna vulnerable to fox predation are threatened species under either the Federal Environmental Biodiversity and Conservation Act or the WA Wildlife Conservation Act:
Other species not listed under these acts but also vulnerable to foxes include:
Fox numbers are estimated at one (1) to 10 or more foxes per square kilometre and it is thought that they may travel 10 kilometres out of their home territory. Foxes have a diverse diet including fruit and insects, preferring ground dwelling animals. They are agile and proficient at climbing structures and trees, much like a cat.
A female fox will mate once per year in winter producing four to six cubs after a five-week gestation period. The semi-mature adults leave the den and secure new territory in Autumn and are sexually mature at one year old.
They are excellent predators and a major economic threat to agriculture in Australia. Foxes prey on domesticated rabbits, lambs, goats, birds and other new-born livestock. They can carry diseases and mange to domestic and agricultural animals, and to humans.
Foxes also spread weed seeds from plants such as Blackberry, a Weed of national Significance.
Under WA’s Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 (the Act) foxes are a declared pest and must be controlled by reducing numbers and distribution across the state to alleviate harmful impacts. It is the responsibility of all land owners and managers to control foxes found on their land.
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