Pests

European Red Fox

The European Red Fox was released in Victoria in 1871 for recreational hunting and spread rapidly. They were found in Queensland by 1907 and Western Australia by 1912. They are now widespread throughout mainland Australia (outside the tropics) and it is estimated that they have spread across 76% of the continent. They have had a major impact on the Australian fauna, predating on ground nesting birds, mammals and reptiles. Moreover foxes compete with Australian native animals for food and habitat and can act as a reservoir of disease for wildlife and domestic animals.