Predator spotted on road in broad daylight exposes sinister reality: 'On the move'
A photo taken from a car in the middle of a busy intersection has highlighted the worrying fact that an invasive predator is 'on the move' in broad daylight — prompting a plea to Aussie residents.
The brazen fox shown in the image, taken in Perth's northern suburbs, comes as the devastating impact the invasive species is having on native Australian wildlife was laid bare after 300 turtles were killed in an ecologically significant set of wetlands in the last 12 months alone.
It's a problem that affects major cities across the country, with urban areas like Perth along with Sydney and Melbourne hosting the highest populations of foxes in Australia.
And this time of year, foxes are "on the move" in search of new territory, population management specialist Gillian Basnett told Yahoo. "It's highly likely the photo of that fox in the middle of the intersection is probably a young one trying to leave home," Basnett explained. Young foxes have been "kicked out of home" and are "roaming about finding new territory."
It means that the foxes are in search of new food sources, and residents can play a major role in reducing their numbers with several simple actions.
Basnett told Yahoo that a study in Perth found that 97 percent of scats found some form of human food including mince, fruit, pet food, chickens and chicken feed.
Everyday Aussies can help reduce fox populations in cities by restricting access to food. Her tips include:
Don't leave pet food outside overnight
Use enclosed compost bins
Keep domestic animals secure at night
Remove fallen fruit around fruit trees
Keep garbage bins covered
Block entry points to drains
Close off access to underneath buildings
Use fox-proof enclosures for poultry – remember foxes dig and can climb
Turn off outside lights that might attract insects
Reduce weeds that provide food and shelter, such as Blackberries
Record sightings in FoxScan.
Deterrents need to be intermittent as they will habituate quickly. E.g. sensor spotlights rather than lights on all the time.
Have gardens with lots of plants that wildlife can hide in, grasses, shrubs, rocks, logs, etc.
Foxes are predators that have a major impact on native wildlife. Along with human activity, foxes are speeding up the loss of native animals in our cities.
"Foxes will happily hunt bandicoots, possums, nesting birds, lizards, and all sorts of things in our cities," Basnett explained. They also impact shore birds, penguins and both freshwater and sea water turtles as well as people's pets.
In Perth, conservationists are calling for more action to help combat the devastating impact of foxes on native Australian wildlife, after 300 turtles were killed in the city's wetlands in the last 12 months alone.
"What's been happening in Perth is the lakes dropped and the turtles became exposed," explained Basnett. "When the lakes drop, there is no protection from water. One fox went through and killed over 100 turtles, which is very tragic."
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In cities, it's "hard" to control populations because the key tool in Australia to remove foxes is "Because we're so close to human habitation and pet animals, it leaves us with a limited set of tools to manage fox numbers," she said.
Other tools at the disposal of authorities include trapping, shooting and den fumigation. Basnett believes "now is a good time" for authorities to try.
"You've got a lot of dumb young faces that are easy to trap," she said. "They're not yet wiley, trying to find a home and are easily managed at this time."
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