Do control interventions effectively reduce the impact of European red foxes on conservation values and agricultural production in Australia? CEE Review 06-003

Published source details McLeod L.J., Saunders G.R. & Kabat T.J. (2008) Do control interventions effectively reduce the impact of European red foxes on conservation values and agricultural production in Australia? CEE Review 06-003. CEE (Collaboration for Environmental Evidence) Systematic Reviews, SR24.
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Summary

The red fox Vulpes vulpes was introduced into Australia in the 1870s. It is now widespread and has major detrimental impacts, predating both native wildlife and livestock. Despite this, there has been little effort made to evaluate the effectiveness of control methods (including the main methods of poisoning with 1080 baits, shooting and trapping). Such information will have great value in drawing-up guidelines for fox control aimed at reducing impacts.

A systematic review was undertaken to assess whether control measures effectively reduce the impact of red foxes on biodiversity and agricultural production in Australia. Whether environmental and geographical factors (e.g. habitat, land-use, island/mainland populations, food resources) alter control effectiveness, or operational level variables (e.g. fox density, extent of control area, duration and effort of control, fencing of controlled area, bait/poison application method, bait type) alter efficacy was also assessed.

Only a broad set of evidence-based management guidelines could be formed due to the complexity of interactions and processes involved in fox control and difficulties in measuring control outcomes. Frequent, broad-scale application of 1080-laden baits is currently the most effective approach to control fox impact in Australia.

Many native species showed a positive response in either individual or population survival after a control intervention, but some showed no response or a negative response to fox removal. Of the two non-native species investigated, house mouse Mus musculus showed no response after fox control, whilst numbers of European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus increased.

Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: http://www.environmentalevidence.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SR24.pdf