Feral fox

Background

European foxes Vulpes vulpes are the most wide-spread carnivore in the world. They were introduced to mainland Australia in the 1850s for recreational hunting and spread rapidly. Feral foxes are now abundant in all states and territories except Tasmania.

Impact

The European fox is an agricultural, environmental and social pest. They have been implicated in the decline and extinction of many small and medium-sized rodent and marsupial species in Australia. Foxes also prey on many bird species.

Of the threatened species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, foxes are considered a threat to:

  • 14 species of birds
  • 48 mammals
  • 12 reptiles
  • 2 amphibians.

Foxes pose a threat to livestock by preying on poultry, lambs and kids. They may also be a health risk to humans and pets in high density areas, through transmission of diseases such as distemper, parvo virus and mange.

The combined environmental and agricultural impacts of foxes, and the effort expended on attempts to reduce that impact, costs Australia more than $200 million each year.

Controlling feral foxes

Landholders are responsible for the control of foxes on their properties under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

Foxes can be killed by:

No single strategy or control technique will completely remove foxes from an area. Integrated fox management relies on a combination of strategies and techniques to keep on top of the fox problem.

Poison bait use is currently the most effective broad-scale method of fox control. Complementary fox control methods include shooting and den fumigation.

It is illegal to keep a fox as a pet or for rescue in South Australia. It is also illegal to move or release a fox in South Australia.

Reporting feral foxes

FoxScan provides a tool for reporting of foxes, management activities undertaken and photos of the impacts of foxes.

The information is used to identify practical solutions to fox impacts.

More information

How to report an established pest animal

If you see an established pest animal, we want to hear about it!

Report sightings via the Feral Scan website or app.

FeralScan
Page last reviewed: 11 Jul 2023

 


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