Controlling Foxes Around Warrumbungle Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Colonies


	Fox Control

	Foxes are known predators of young Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies. The presence of high numbers of foxes is a major barrier to the recovery of these Warrumbungle colonies from the current very low numbers of Rock-wallabies The Department of Environment and Conservation (formerly the NPWS) has a regular fox baiting program in the Warrumbungle National Park to reduce predation pressure on the Rock-wallaby population. In 2001 the Coonabarabran Landcare Group received funding from the Natural Heritage Trust to provide a buffer zone of effective fox control up to 5 km from the Rock-wallaby colonies. Additional funding in 2003 has enabled this program to continue. The funds mainly cover the cost of baits and a contract worker to bait on properties where the owners are unable to bait. Regional control of foxes by Park neighbours helps create a buffer around the Park that slows movement of foxes back into the vicinity of rock-wallaby colonies. Fox numbers in the district remain high although there are indications that numbers close to colonies are much reduced.
	Rod MacCallum preparing a bait station. Note the identifying flag (tape)				Placing the fox bait in a hole dug in a pad of sand. The bait is very attractive to foxes.
	The bait is covered with sand.				The sand is patted down and smoothed.
	The bait has been taken by a fox as indicated by the tracks.
	The bait used in this project is ‘1080’ in the form of a commercially prepared bait called ‘FOXOFF’. This allows people to safely store and handle the bait after basic training. 1080 is very toxic to foxes and dogs and each bait contains a measured dose to kill a fox. Australian marsupials, birds and reptiles are fairly tolerant of 1080 poison. Burying the baits further reduces the risk to non-target species. FOX BAITING HAS MANY BENEFITS: As well as preying on young Rock-wallabies, foxes kill birds and other wildlife. Fox predation is a major cause of loss of lambs. Fox baiting programs are regularly carried out by members of the Goorianawa Landcare Group in the area south and west of Bugaldie, and by the Warrumbungle Landcare Group in the area to the west of the National Park. INTERESTED?: Do you live close to the Warrumbungle National Park? Are you prepared to help with ongoing fox control activity? Do you want to contribute to the survival of the endangered Warrumbungle population of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby? If so contact your local Landcare group or the Rural Lands Protection Board. See contact details on the Contacts page.

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Friends of the Warrumbungle Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby 2004