KPCFCP Autumn 2018 Fox Baiting Program
Twenty landowners participating in the King Parrot Catchment Fox Control Project recently took part in our Autumn fox baiting program.
A total of 172 Foxoff baits were taken over the duration of the baiting program which means we have potentially removed up to 172 foxes from our area.
Baited fox
1080 baiting in progress sign
As with any good pest animal control program it is crucial that a coordinated approach is undertaken over a large area and using a range of techniques.
During this time DELWP have also been coordinating their fox trapping program in the adjoining state forest areas around Strath Creek. So far they have trapped 20 foxes (plus 23 feral cats); and the Sugarloaf Hunt Club have also been running their annual fox drives over the last couple of months and have shot a total of 75 foxes on neighbouring farms.
Fox trapped using soft jaw traps
Hunt club fox drives
We have also had encouraging signs of vulnerable native wildlife responding to less foxes in the landscape.
Long-nosed Bandicoot digging at Kinglake West
Many Long-nosed Bandicoot diggings were seen on 3 of the baited properties in Kinglake West;
and Lyrebirds have recently been heard calling on another baited property for the first time in a few years.
Brush-tailed Phascogale. Photo Ken Mival.
Most exciting of all was the sighting of this endangered Brush-tailed Phascogale along the King Parrot Creek in Flowerdale. The sighting was only a couple of hundred metres from two Flowerdale farms that also participated in our fox baiting program.
To find out more about the King Parrot Catchment Fox Control Project phone Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or email ugln.projects@ugln.net
Great work Chris and thank you for the opportunity, it was a pleasure being part of the program.
Chris, you have been an essential contributor and your assistance was vitally important to my participation. A great outcome on those figures.