The Fox Man - Foxes

Environmental Impact

Foxes are highly effective predators and thrive by killing a great number of Australian native animals. Small mammals and ground nesting native birds are at special risk. Many species have become extinct due to the relentless predation pressure from foxes.

Fox caught on remote camera with native Bandicoot prey. 

Apart from their massive impact on wildlife and lamb production, foxes are known to spread weeds such as blackberries and olives via their scats.

Agricultural Impact

Foxes are also responsible for major economic losses of newborn lambs and goat kids. These predation losses can reach more than 20% of lambs born, so effective fox control programs commonly result in significant increases in marking rates.

Perhaps even more importantly, foxes carry and spread parasites, bacteria and viruses that affect working and pet dogs as well as native wildlife (mange, worms, distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus). Foxes would transmit rabies, should this virus enter Australia.