Download Fox in the Hen House - Open Journal Systems for the IAG

‘FOX IN THE HEN HOUSE’
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EUROPEAN RED
FOX (VULPES VULPES) INTO TASMANIA, AND THE
POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE FAUNA
BIODIVERSITY IT REPRESENTS.
JOHN MARSHALL
BACHELOR OF ARTS, ENVS 1702, 2002
Abstract: Tasmania has been considered an important haven for wildlife, and until recently
was free one of the most problematic vertebrate pests the European Red Fox (Vulpes
vulpes). A purposeful release of about 20 foxes was carried out by persons unknown and
foxes appear to have become established. The authorities under the direction of the
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment (DPIWE), have formulated a
plan under the Fox Taskforce of eradication that has drawn on much expertise from the
established fox control programmes refined on the mainland. This Tasmanian plan has
been criticised for its delayed implementation but embodies the elements of successful 'best
practise' methods. The time that has lapsed has not been wasted with the DPIWE
undertaking data collection and public education programmes to enhance the probability
of successful eradication. The programmes continue.
Keywords; European Red Fox, DPIWE, Fox Taskforce, Vertebrate Pests.
1
Introduction
The fox has been viewed through time, and indeed has been represented in cartoons as being
cunning wily and a rogue. People's perceptions of the fox vary from an object of sport to a killer
and pest (Saunders et al. 1995, p. 48). The introduction of the fox to mainland Australia circa
1850 for the purpose of hunting began a period of indigenous mammal decline and extinctions
attributed mostly to this pest (Short 1998, p. 365; Hone 1999, p. 671; DPIWE 2002, p. 1).
Tasmania was free of foxes until recently when in September 2000 an individual was shot on the
Symmons Plains. A subsequent police investigation found that some three litters had been
smuggled into Tasmania and released by persons unknown (Johansen 2002, p. 2).This had not
been the first introduction of foxes to Tasmania but none have been successful until now.
Confirmed sightings are continuing to occur which indicates that the population has at least
established in localised areas around the release sites (CSIRonline 2002, p. 1; DPIWE 2002;
DPIWE 2002).
The primary concern of land managers is the potential impact that the fox will have on the native
fauna if left to breed. This essentially is a question that until recently was supported by little
scientific evidence. The best studies are those from Western Australia indicating that fox
predation causes indigenous mammal population decline and range contraction (Kinnear, Calver
& Short. 1998, p. 81). Compounding the problem is the fact that foxes are highly successful in
their reproduction and cub survival is high (Saunders 1995, p. 2).
In Tasmania the fox eradication programme will need to eradication methods will be appropriate.
This is quite different to the mainland experience where control methods through bounty schemes
were directed at small areas. In the case of Tasmania the effective management of large areas, the
whole island requires attention to planning and management coordination to succeed (Saunders
1995, p. 3). The control of foxes on the mainland has been historically haphazard and directed at
protecting agricultural interests (Saunders 1995, p. 56). The complexity of the environment,
habitat and human activities means that a well-structured strategic approach needs to be taken for
success (Saunders 1995, pp. 2-3).How will the Department of Primary Industries, Water and
Environment (DPIWE) and the community deal with this pest efficiently to protect what is
viewed as a valuable asset in the form of native fauna? eradication plan is developing under the
expertise of a Fox taskforce (CSIRonline 2002a)Most appropriately the authorities in Tasmania
have begun a well-considered approach to eradication, although not everyone is in agreement.
How effective this eradication programme is will not be known for some time or even if it will
succeed at all (DPIWE 2002).
Aims of the Study
The primary aim of this report will be to provide an uptodate status and profile of the problem
that the authorities are facing in their approach to eradicate the fox in Tasmania. The report will
give details of the most efficient options available with reference to studies in the area of fox
control in Australia. The study also compares the of the Department of Primary Industries, Water
and Environment (DPIWE Tasmania)
2
The study attempts to answer some of the vexed questions on how we need to respond to biothreats as well as intentional bio-vandalism.
Research Methods
Interest in the study of the release of the European Red Fox, (Vulpes vulpes) was initially
generated by the SBS-TV programme ‘Insight’ (Johansen 2002). A transcript was obtained from
the archive section of the SBS-TV website and this provided some information on what was
being done to eliminate the pest.
Literature searches were performed as described in Hay, Bochner & Dungey (1997). General
searches of the Voyager Information System of The Flinders University of South Australia
Library, resulted in the finding some key works on both the fox, and the fox control programme
in Australia (Saunders et al. 1995; Short 1998).
Searches of the journal collection by key word search strings particularly relevant to control
yielded references, in particular the journal ‘Wildlife Research’. This provided a vast amount of
material ranging from studies into fox impacts on remnant populations of wallabies, to the
efficacy of using traps as a control mechanism for the pest (Belcher 1998; Hone 1999; Kay et al.
2000; Kinnear, Onus & Summer. 1998; Martin & Twigg 2002). Other relevant papers from
‘Wildlife Research’ were gained by simply browsing the shelves (Read & Bowen 2001; Risbey,
Calver & Short. 1999; Risbey et al. 2000).
Database searches were performed for 'European red fox’ on Current Contents and yielded some
papers not held by the library Meek & Twiggs (1998); Priddel & Wheeler (1999) were obtained
through Document delivery services.
The Internet was also used extensively to access valuable sites such as:
•
✏CSIRonline that was searched to gather valuable background on the
organisation’s input into managing the fox threat (CSIRonline 2001a; CSIRonline
2001b).
• ✏The PAC CRC site also provided brief information on the response so far (PAC CRC
2002).
• ✏The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) website provided a brief but shallow
information sheet for public consumption (ACF 2002).
✏The web site of Environment Australia provided a list of publications that included,
Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the European Red Fox, which was obtained
through the post (Biodiversity Group. Environment Australia 1999).
The excellent web site established by the Department of Primary Industries, Water &
Environment (DPIWE) was accessed on a regular basis. The site provided up to date information
on the fox threat, the state of Tasmania at the present, and the response to that threat (DPIWE
2002b; DPIWE 2002e; DPIWE 2002f; DPIWE 2002g). Other valuable detail on this website
gave background information on fox identification as well as such things as technical notes on
poisons (DPIWE 2002a; DPIWE 2002c; DPIWE 2002d).
3
All information was assessed relevant to the issues of fox control, and potential threats to the
fauna that the pest represents. This was used to measure the response of the DPIWE in the
development of their eradication plan that is still on going.
Findings and discussion
The Threat
The prosperity of the fox on the mainland is partially the result of its wide dietary range that
includes small to medium sized animals (Saunders et al. 1995, p. 2). Table 1, Appendix A, lists
the species at threat in Tasmania, many of the mammals, birds and reptiles falling into what is
called the critical weight range of 35 to 5500grams (Meek & Triggs, 1998 pp. 117-118).
Australian native fauna did not co-evolve with the fox therefore natives do not have in built
mechanisms to avoid predation (Saunders et al. 1995, p. 27). Consequently predation by foxes
has been a contributing factor in the decline and extinction of a range of mammals on mainland
Australia due (in the main) to lifestyle habits of these mammals (Risbey et al. 2000, p. 223;
Priddel & Wheeler 1999, p. 125). Unfortunately, the record of indigenous mammal extinctions
and declines has been the worst in the world since white settlement (Short 1998, p. 365).
The threat generated by public attitudes does play a part with the community not giving
importance to environmental impacts, as indicated by this purposeful fox release. This case of
what must be called bio-vandalism cannot be efficiently interpreted as the police investigation
failed to identify any suspects. The intention of the perpetrators was to introduce the fox to
Tasmania to impact native fauna in an adverse fashion (ACF, 2002 p. 1).
The introduction of the fox into Tasmania is a major threat in a number of different ways that
depends on complex inter species interactions and habitat modification such as land clearance
(Saunders et al. 1995, pp. 27-28; Short 1998, pp. 373-374). Another factor is the close population
interactions between foxes and the rabbit, (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that forms an important
element of the diet of the fox (Saunders et al. 1995, p. 13). This is well-illustrated in studies by
Read & Bowen (2001) where rabbit population expansions preceded expansions in the fox
population in arid South Australia. It was found that pressure on native populations was focussed
when rabbits became scarce (Read & Bowen, 2001, p. 199). This highlights the ability of the fox
to be an adaptable and an opportunistic predator in food preferences, and one that can switch to
more easily caught prey such as small wallabies in times of need (Meek & Triggs, 1998, p. 123;
Risbey, Calver & Short. 1999, p. 624).
Tasmania not only provides the fox with an abundance of native prey but also the rabbit, and the
cat (Felix catus) indicating some potential complex species interactions.
These complexities of species interactions are indicated in a study in the natural coastal habitat of
New South Wales where there was a mixed population of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and an
abundance of native species such as Pseudocherirus sp. The fox tended to consume more native
species even though the rabbit population was available and high (Meek & Triggs 1998, p. 121).
The stomach contents of the fox that was shot in Tasmania on the Symmons Plain in September
4
2000, confirmed this, for it contained native long tailed rat, corbi, and reptile remains, indicating
a preference for easily caught native species (Johansen 2002, p. 1).
The potential for predation on mammals in the middle to upper range of the critical weight is well
described in Kinnear, Onus & Summer (1998). A long-term study on remnant populations of rock
wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), dramatically supported the theory that fox predation of animals of
that size was catastrophic and a major conservation threat. The Tasmanian species of that weight
range include, potoroos (Potorous tridactylus), bettongs (Bettongia gaimadi) and the pademelon
(Thylogale billardierii) are prolific and are feared to be targeted prey species (DPIWE 2002b, p.
1). Table 2, Appendix A, gives a comparison of the range of species at risk on the mainland.
The difficulty in quantifying the threat of the fox in relation to conservation issues inherently lies
in the habits of the fox that makes them difficult to detect especially at low population densities.
There are no reliable methods to estimate fox densities and therefore no means by which to
predict the threat itself. This makes the structuring of a planned response very difficult (Saunders
et al. 1995, p. 64). In the circumstance of Tasmania the low population density makes them hard
enough to find without the added problem of the elusive character of the fox.
In response to this some researchers on the mainland study fox predation impacts on populations
of native species by using predator removal. Studies in Western Australia indicate that
significant improvements can occur in remnant native populations of small to medium mammals
with removal of the fox. In these population manipulations, several variables were examined
including the reintroduction of habitats that favoured native species. It was found however, that
predator removal was the single most important element of population increases and range
expansion of native species (Risbey et al. 2000, p. 621).
Tasmania as a wildlife haven
Tasmania has been free of foxes until recently with the loss of only 1 species (Thylacinus
cynocephalus) since white settlement (PAC CRC 2002, p. 1). Tasmania is recognised as
important, (internationally) for unique native species of high conservation value (DPIWE 2002b).
Release of foxes in Tasmania is not new; introductions in the past though did not become
established (DPIWE 2002e, p. 1; DPIWE 2002g, p. 1.). The concern now is with an established
population of foxes. Foxes are very adaptive and have a high fecundity success. Due to the
passage of time the fox may have been able to breed although the success of the fox increasing its
population is uncertain. The number of unconfirmed sightings continues to grow but to date no
new fox carcasses have been collected (DPIWE 2002e). Figure 1, Appendix A, indicates the
approximate location of sightings so far on a map of Tasmania. Considering the difficulty of
performing efficient fox population transects, frequent continuous sightings even unverified,
indicate a potentially larger population of foxes. They have been also located along the main
transport corridors at locations near to what is known to be the release sites.
The initial alarm was raised with the sighting of a single fox that walked from a container ship in
the Port of Burnie in 1998 indicating how vulnerable Tasmania was to fox introductions (ACF
5
2002; DPIWE 2002b, p. 1; DPIWE 2002e, p. 1.). This fox was never seen again but sometime in
2000 11 to 19 foxes were smuggled into Tasmania, and released by persons unknown at various
sites in the state. Unconfirmed sightings of foxes soon occurred (Johansen 2002, p. 2; DPIWE
2002d; Newby 2002, p. 1). Sightings of foxes continue to escalate and are represented in Table 3.
& Figure 1, Appendix A (DPIWE 2002d). The only fox collected so far has been by a local
shooter while spotlighting on the Symmons Plain near Longford. In September 2000 he shot at
what he thought was a hare, but in fact was a fox (Johansen 2002, p. 3).
Response to the fox
From the first sighting of a fox, the Burnie Fox, the Government of Tasmania moved slowly. The
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) wanted to protect the agricultural interests
of the island and advocated an immediate shooting programme (Johansen 2002, p. 3). Conflict
and political argument between State and Federal governments contested both the source and the
amount of funds for the eradication programme. This essentially put at risk an early solution to
the fox threat (Hone 1999, p. 672; Johansen 2002, p. 3).
Unfortunately, the DPIWE essentially had no experience with fox control and has taken what has
been seen as a cautious approach. As determined by Saunders et al. (1995), the key to developing
a successful management plan requires the quantification of the impact on native populations. In
cases where no data is available it must be assumed that an adverse impact exists.
There is an obligation for the DPIWE as the land manager under the Vermin Destruction Act
1950 to eradicate the fox. In acting in accordance with this the response of the DPIWE has been
criticised from a number of quarters but is consistent in following guidelines that have been
established by Saunders et al. (1995).
The problem in Tasmania is somewhat different to that on the mainland. Fox eradication was
viewed as not achievable on the mainland. Fox control was a response to impacts on agriculture
and outcomes of studies of remnant populations of native fauna for conservation purposes (Meek
& Trigg 1998, p. 124; Saunders et al. 1995, pp. 56-57).
It is interesting to look at the response in Tasmania in chronological order:
(a). Initially the DPIWE established a four member Fox Taskforce (May 2001), this has
been expanded to six field officers and fifteen casuals (DPIWE 2002c).
(b). The DPIWE then sought and enlisted expert advice from various agencies and
individuals to determine and structure the best potential eradication plan (CSIRonline
2002b).
(c). On 7-8 March 2002 the DPIWE in conjunction with the PAC CRC, and participants
from WA, VIC, NSW, ACT and TAS as well as interest groups, met in Launceston to
develop recommendations for a fox eradication plan (PAC CRC 2002).
(d). On the 27 March 2002 the programme Out Fox was launched to enable an induction
of the community into the programme to provide improved detection by community
education (CSIRonline 2002a, p. 1).
6
The issue of community involvement for successful eradication is of vital importance, as
community perceptions of the threats that foxes represent depend on individual attitudes. Some
see foxes as an advantage for hunting and do not consider the environmental impacts (Saunders et
al. 1995, p. 48). Accordingly DPIWE have invested considerable resources into the Out Fox
programme informing the public from the inception of the threat on how to identify foxes, what
to do, and how to contact DPIWE (DPIWE 2002f).
Critically, Priddel & Wheeler (1999) argue that successful programmes of control hinge upon the
consensus participation of the community in neighbouring pastoral properties, adjacent to areas
of high conservation significance, and that the responses to fox signs should be immediate. It is
very important to conserve a positive relationship with the farm lobby for successful eradication.
The paradox facing DPIWE in the development of an eradication programme is the risk posed to
non-target species over largely the whole of Tasmania. Fox control methods, as reviewed by
Saunders et al. (1995), vary in efficiency and include trapping, shooting, den fumigation,
exclusion fencing, and changes to farming practise and poisoning with a variety of chemical
agents. According to Saunders et al. (1995) only fencing and poisoning have been effective in
relation to wildlife conservation. Some of these are impractical in the case of Tasmania, but a
combination of these methods is recognised to be successful in effective protection of native
fauna (Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia 1999, pp. 13-14).
As described above the implementation of an active eradication plan was certainly not
immediate. The DPIWE, after carrying out trials with the poison '1080', commenced baiting on
the Symmons Plain/Longford and Cambridge areas in July 2002 (DPIWE 2002d).
The use of the poison ‘1080’ is commonly agreed to be one of the best options but also
consideration needs to be given to the threat to non-target species (DPIWE 2002g, p. 2; Saunders
et al. 1995, pp. 73-74).
One of the advantages of the poison 1080 is that it occurs in the environment as fluroacetate in
some native plants, and in some regions of Australia fauna have built up natural immunities
(Saunders et al. 1995, p. 74). This has been supported by studies that have examined the
susceptibility and tolerance of native fauna, and have found that by using specific bait types
primary poisoning could be significantly reduced as an added protection (Martin & Twigg 2002,
pp. 81-82).
The fox is extremely susceptible to the poison 1080 (Table 4) even though species of carnivores
such as quolls found in Tasmania may be at risk to some standard baiting techniques (Belcher
1998, p. 38). The use of 1080 is strictly controlled by the DPIWE (DPIWE 2002a).
Table 4. Sensitivity of selected native Australian species to 1080.
Species
Magpie
Wedge-tail eagle
Weight kg.
0.3
4
Sensitivity
1
1
Baits required
1.3
15.2
7
Tasmanian Devil
Eastern Quoll
Tiger Quoll
Cat
Fox
Dog
Human
7
1
3
4
5
15
60
2.4
3.1
5.4
26
70
165
14
12
3.5
2.2
0.6
0.33
0.36
17.4
Notes: Sensitivity, the higher the number the more sensitive a species to the poison '1080'.
Baits required the average number of baits consumed where death is likely.
Source: DPIWE 2002g, p.2
As this programme is very much in a state of development as a response to the fox threat that has
evolved the success or failure will not be known for some time.
The adaptive management adopted by DPIWE in Tasmania will, if sustained, defeat the fox
(Saunders et al. 1995, p. 91). The motto of the DPIWE now is “1080 today or the fox forever”.
Conclusion
The major observation in the introduction of this bio-threat was the serious lack of preparedness
of the DPIWE. This rendered the Department unable to respond quickly in a structured and
planned way reducing the potential for success in eradication. A number of factors indicated that
the probability of fox introduction by accidental means was likely with the mainland harbouring
at times high populations of foxes. The Burnie incident where a fox ‘wandered off a ship’ was an
unfortunate symptom of poor systematic control of cargo inspection by the authorities. The
determined purposeful introduction by persons unknown was an event to maliciously establish
the fox in Tasmania that is difficult to counter without sophisticated quarantine techniques.
In quantifying the threat to fauna the DPIWE has assumed that the threat exists even without
efficient population transects of fox numbers, and has acted to establish an active programme.
This response in principle was the correct course of action as recommended by Saunders et al.
(1995).
The time taken has enabled the DPIWE to fashion a response on best practice principles
employing the advice of external expertise and has been wisely used in other facets of
implementing a successful eradication plan by adding community involvement and trialing
eradication methods in the field.
The Department has established credentials in developing a concise plan on the guidelines for
control as set down by Saunders et al. (1995) but in a way in which eradication hopes to succeed
8
over the whole of the island, generally outside the scope of the procedures for simply controlling
the pest.
As with all bio-threats prevention is better than reactive response and the efficient application of
quarantine methods would have been able to significantly limit the probability of introduction of
the fox in both manners discussed.
The success or failure of the eradication programme will only be known over time but the
consistency of approach so far indicates that the outcome will be favourable.
References
Australian Conservation Foundation ACF 2002, Australia’s Noahs Ark Springs a Leak.
(online). Available: URL:
http://www.acfonline.org.au/asp/pages/document.asp?IdDoc=678 (accessed 12 Aug.
2002).
eastern
Belcher, C. A. 1998, ‘Susceptibility of the tiger quoll, Dasyurus maculatus, and the
quoll, D. viverrinus, to 1080-poisoned baits in control programmes for vertebrate
pests in eastern Australia’, Wildlife Research, vol. 25, pp. 33-40.
Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia 1999, Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by
the European Red Fox. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation CSIROnline 2002a, Out Fox
outfoxes Tassie’s foxes. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediaRelease&id=TassieFoxes&stylesheetmedisRelease (accessed 8 Aug. 2002).
Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation CSIROnline 2002b, Outfoxing
Tasmania’s pest threat. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?=mediaRelease&id=prcrcfoxes&stylesheet=mediaRelease
(accessed 8 Aug. 2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002a, Farm Note 35- The use
of 1080 Poison. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Publication/RPIO-5232QP?open
(accessed 12 Aug. 2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002b, Foxes in
Tasmania-A Grave Threat to Our Wildlife. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-52J8U3?open (accessed 5
Aug. 2002).
9
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002c, Fox Sightings.
(online). Available: URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/webPages/SJON-562RG?open (accessed 12 Aug.
2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002d, Fox Sightings.
(online). Available: URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/webPages/SJON-562RG?open (accessed 3 Sept.
2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002e, The Fox in Tasmania, A
threat to stock and wildlife alike. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/SJON-5D78FC/$FILE/Foxes.pdf
(accessed 3 Sept. 2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002f,
Working Together for a Fox Free Tasmania.(online). Available:URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/SJON-56P37E/$FILE/fox.pdf
(accessed 5 Aug. 2002).
Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment DPIWE 2002g, 1080 Fox
Baiting in Tasmania.(online).Available:URL:
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-5D93P4?Open (accessed
3 Sept. 2002).
Hay, I., Bochner, D. & Dungey, C. 1997, Making the Grade, A guide to successful
communication and study, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Hone, J. 1999, ‘Fox control and rock- wallaby populations dynamics- assumptions and
hypotheses’, Wildlife Research, vol. 26, pp. 671-673.
Johansen, I. 2002, Fox Hunt. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/archive/php3 (accessed 8 Aug. 2002).
Kay, B., Gifford, E., Perry, R. & Van de Ven, R. 2000, ‘Trapping efficiencies for foxes
vulpes) in central New South Wales: age and sex biases and the effects of reduced fox
abundance’, Wildlife Research, vol. 27, pp. 547-552.
(Vulpes
Kinnear, J. E., Onus, M. L. & Sumner, N. R. 1998, ‘Fox control and rock- wallaby
populations dynamics-II. An update’, Wildlife Research, vol. 25, pp. 81-88.
Martin, G. R. & Twigg, L. E. 2002, ‘Sensitivity to sodium fluoroacetate (1080) of native animals
from north-western Australia’, Wildlife Research, vol. 29, pp. 75-83.
10
Meek, P. D., & Triggs, B. 1998, ‘The food of foxes, dogs and cats on two peninsulas in Jervis
Bay, New South Wales’, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South
Wales, vol.
120, pp. 117-127.
Newby, J. 2002, Tassie Fox- A Biosecurity Threat. (online). Available: URL:
http://www.abc.net/catalyst/stories/s665469.htm (accessed 27 Sept. 2002).
Pest Animal Control, Cooperative Research Centre PAC CRC 2002, The Fox in Tasmania.
(online).Available:URL:
http://www.pestanimal.crc.org.au/foxes.tasmania/fox_tasmania.htm (accessed 8 Aug.
2002).
Priddel, D., & Wheeler, R. 1999, ‘Malleefowl conservation in New South Wales: A
review’,Proceedings of the Third International Megapode Symposium, Nhill,
Australia, December 1997, Zoologische Verhandelingen, vol. 327, pp. 123-141.
Read, J. & Bowen, Z. 2001, ‘Population dynamics, diet and aspects of the biology of feral
cats and foxes in arid South Australia’, Wildlife Research, vol. 28, pp. 195-203.
Risbey, D. A., Calver, M. C. & Short, S. 1999, ‘The impact of cats and foxes on the small
vertebrate fauna of Heirisson Prong, Western Australia. I. Exploring potential
impact
using diet analysis’, Wildlife Research, vol. 26, pp. 621-630.
Risbey, D. A., Calver, M. C., Short, S., Bradley, J, S., and Wright, I. W. 2000, ‘The impact
of cats and foxes on the small vertebrate fauna of Heirisson Prong, Western
Australia. II. A field experiment’, Wildlife Research, vol. 27, pp. 223-235.
Saunders, G., Coman, B., Kinnear, J. & Braysher, M. 1995, Managing Vertebrate Pests:
Foxes. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Short, J. 1998, ‘The extinction of rat-kangaroos ( Marsupialia: Potoroidae) in New South
Wales, Australia’, Biological Conservation, vol. 86, pp. 365-377.
Willett, B. M. & Gayland, D. (eds.) 1989, Atlas of the World for Australians, George
Phillips Ltd., London.
11
Appendix A:
Table 1. Species at risk from fox predation that occur in Tasmania.
Marsupials
Rodents
Eastern barred
bandicoot, Permeles
gunnii
Tasmanian bettong,
Bettongia gaimardi
Long tailed mouse,
Pseudomys higginsi
Velvet furred rat,
Rattus lutreolus
Tasmanian
New holland mouse,
pademelon, Thylogale Pseudomys
billardieri
novaehollandiae
Long nosed potoroo,
Potorous tridactylus
Eastern quoll,
Dasyurus viverrinus
Southern brown
bandicoot, Isoodon
obesulus
Reptiles and
Amphibians
Tussock skink,
Pseudoemoia
pagenstechen
Glossy grass skink,
Pseudoemoia
rawlinsoni
Birds
Green and gold frog,
Litoria reniformis
Little tern, Sterna
albifrons
Hooded plover,
Thinomus rubricollis
Little penguin,
Eudyptula minor
Fairy tern, Sterna neris
Ground parrot,
Pezoporus wallicus
Ground thrush,
Zoothera lunulata
Painted button quail,
Turnix varia
Great crested grebe,
Podiceps cristatus
Source: modified from DPIWE 2002b, p. 1., PAC CRC 2002.
12
Table 2. Native Species believed to be at risk from fox predation on mainland Australia.
The following list, although far from comprehensive, gives some indication of species at risk.
Marsupials
Rodents
Birds
Bilby, Macrotis lagotis
Central rock- rat, Zyzomys Bush thick-knee, Burhinus
pedunculatus
magnirostris
Black Footed Rock
Dusky hopping Mouse,
Ground Parrot, Pezoporus
Wallaby, Petrogale
Notomys fuscus
wallicus
lateralis
Brush-Tailed Bettong,
Heath rat, Pseudomys
Little penguin, Eudyptula
Bettongia penicillata
shortridgei
minor
Brushed-Tailed Rock
Plains rat, Pseudomys
Little tern, Sterna
Wallaby, Petrogale
australis
albifrons
penicillata
Dibbler, Parantechinus
Malleefowl, Leipoa
apicalis
ocellata
Eastern barred bandicoot,
Night Parrot,Geopsittacus
Perameles gunnii
occidentalis
Kowari, Dasyuroides
Nullabor quail-thrush,
byrnei
Cinclosoma alisteri
Long-footed potoroo,
Potorous logipes
Mountain pygmy possum,
Burramys parvus
Mulgara, Dasycercus
cristicauda
Numbat, Mymecobius
fasciatus
Red-tailed phascogale,
Phascogale calura
Rufus hair-tailed wallaby,
Laorchestes hirsutus
Sandhill dunnart,
Sminthopsis psammophila
Southern brown bandicoot,
Isodon obesulus
Spectacled hare-wallaby,
Lagorchestes
conspicillatus
Western quoll, Dasyurus
geoffroii
Yellow-footed rock
wallaby, Petrogale
xanthopus
Source: Saunders et al. 1995, p. 126.
13
Table 3. Sightings (unverified) of foxes in Tasmania up to 22 AUG. 2002.
On a property near Campbell Town.
•
Heading towards Comalco
•
Castra Rd near Ulverstone.
•
Camina Rd Natone.
•
On the Midlands Hwy near Campbell Town.
•
Turners Beach.
•
On Westwood Rd near Carrick.
•
On a property out of St Marys.
Previous unconfirmed sightings have been reported from:
•
between Gawler and North Motton.
•
on York Town Road- Bakers Beach.
•
on a property near the Bass Highway at Smithton.
•
on a property off Rofbury Road at Campbell Town.
•
crossing the highway near Hagley.
•
crossing Mooreville Road in the Burnie area.
•
crossing Pipers River Road near the turn off to Bridport Highway.
•
on the old coast road near Ulverstone
•
near Nubeena.
•
running from the penguin rookery at Low Head.
•
crossing the highway just north of the Breadalbane roundabout.
•
One fox seen 300m from the Seven Mile beach access road near the Golf course.
•
One fox seen on Kimberley road just entering the Railton township
•
One report of chooks also being taken from the same area as the above sighting.
•
One fox seen on the Three Mile Line Road 1 km from the Burnie tip.
•
One fox seen on a property near Symmons Plains.
14
•
An old sighting- reported seeing a fox 6 months ago in the Margate area off Hickmans
Road.
•
Again several reports of dead foxes seen on the road, all those investigated turned out
negative, mainly mistaken brush tailed possums.
•
Quite a few reports on chooks being attacked. Seems to be a lot of activity by young
devils around at the moment. A few attacks have been unusual and have encouraged
owners to lay some sand pads in these areas to pick up prints.
•
1 sighting on the Arthur Highway 5km north of Murdunna
•
1 sighting on the Tasman Highway just north of Runnymede.
•
1 sighting on the Tasman Highway 1km south of Tunbridge.
•
1 sighting on the Upper Stowport Road just past the Stowport shop.
•
1 sighting on the Bass Highway just north of the turn off to Railton.
•
1 sighting on the Sandfly Road near the sports oval at Sandfly.
•
1 sighting on the Colebrook road just north of Colebrook.
•
1 sighting on the Frankford Highway 3.2 km east of the Wisedale property near
Frankford.
•
Several reports on dead foxes investigated but turned out negative.
•
two reports in the Tunbridge area. One approximately 1.5km south of Tunbridge. The
second approximately half way between Tunbridge and Ross just before the overtaking
lanes.
•
an old report came in from a sighting in the Main St of Perth near the old BP service
station.
•
two other reports from just outside of Hobart from people seeing the back end of
something which they couldn't really identify.
•
dozens of calls from people who are losing chooks at present. Some investigated and most
are attributed to quoll attacks.
•
2 Foxes seen opposite turn off to Lost Falls on the Lake Leake Highway.
•
A fox seen 5km north of Campbell Town on Tasman Highway just before truck testing
bay.
•
2 sighting from two separate people on different days in the same driveway on Clifton
Beach Road Clifton Beach.
15
•
Dead fox seen on the Lake Leake Highway between the Lost Falls turnoff and turnoff to
Swansea. Investigated and carcase gone. Hair samples recovered for analysis.
•
A fox seen crossing the road near the sports oval at Sandfly.
•
Numerous calls in relation to chook and duck kills. All investigated and dismissed as
quoll or raptor attacks.
Other previous unconfirmed sightings have ranged from Bellingham, the Longford and Powranna
areas, and a sighting in the Somerset area of a fox and two cubs, as well as Avoca, St Helens, and
Marrawah.
Source: DPIWE 2002d, p. 2.
16
Figure 1. Map of fox sightings in Tasmania
Source: DPIWE 2002c, p. 1.
17