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Australia's Fox War: New Plan Fights Extinction
11 Oct
Summary
- New draft plan aims to protect native species from fox predation.
- Millions of native animals are killed by foxes annually.
- The plan acknowledges eradication is impossible; focuses on protection.
Australia is set to implement a new national strategy to combat the predation of native wildlife by European red foxes. This draft plan, the first update in almost 20 years, acknowledges that complete eradication of the estimated 1.7 million foxes nationwide is not feasible.
Instead, the strategy prioritizes protecting species most vulnerable to fox attacks. This includes a significant increase in funding for predator-free safe havens, such as islands and fenced zones. The plan also emphasizes the need for legislative harmony and collaboration between state and federal governments.
Ecologists estimate that foxes kill upwards of 367 million native mammals, 111 million birds, and 88 million reptiles annually. The plan highlights a dozen key species, including the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo and the eastern quoll, as facing imminent extinction due to fox predation.
The proposed 30-year initiative requires substantial, long-term funding, with an estimated $175 million needed over the first five years. This investment is expected to yield significant environmental benefits, as the annual damage caused by foxes to Australian biodiversity is estimated at $190 million.
