Local pest program needed

Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes is a community program conducted throughout WA, from the north of Geraldton down to Esperance. 

Redcard for Rabbits and Foxes coordinator Jacquie Lucas, said the community-driven program is important to support.

“Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world and that is attributable to foxes and feral cats,” Ms Lucas said. “They are also a pest to farmers. In the autumn period, in the lead up to lambing, they have a significant impact on agricultural production.”

The Department of Agriculture and Food website states many non-native vertebrate animals have become established as unmanaged populations across Australia. 

These animals are deemed pests due to preying on domestic or farm animals, damaging crops and food production, posing a threat to native animals and ecosystems and for being a health hazard.

The next community fox shoot will be held January 19 to 21, 2018.

The Hotbaiting period, which specifically targets rabbits and foxes, has been set for the period, February 1 to 30 April 2018. 

In June 2016, Scientists from Murdoch University revealed that foxes mostly diet on sheep, making up two thirds of their stomach contents.

The scientists were able to get this information after analysing foxes from the 2010 Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes program in 2010.

The foxes came from 13 different locations over WA.

Murdoch University’s Associate Professor Trish Fleming said the team also analysed the jaw strength and gut contents of 540 foxes captured through a community-based feral animal control program.

Ms Fleming said by studying skull morphology, bite force and teeth, they found 57 per cent of the foxes culled were less than one year old.

“This information reinforces the need for coordinated pest animal control to boost the productivity of livestock farmers and protect native animals.

The shoots are coordinated by natural resources management group Wheatbelt NRM and the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (WA).

For more information visit www.redcard.org.au.