Greater Sydney Parklands, in partnership with Calmsley Hill City Farm and Local Land Services, undertakes fox control programs throughout Western Sydney Parklands, commencing 1st June each year. Signage is present throughout the areas where these programs are conducted.
Evidence suggests that foxes area primary cause of the decline and extinction of many small- and medium sized rodent and marsupial species in Australia. They also prey on many bird species.
Foxes have played a large role in the decline of native wildlife, including wallabies, echidnas, lizards and birds. Foxes are also responsible for the loss of livestock and are known to carry diseases such as mange and tapeworm, making them a health and safety risk to humans and pets.
In NSW, 1080 poison is used alongside trapping and shooting to manage fox populations, regulated by Local Land Services (LLS) and aligning with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Invasive Species Plan for a holistic approach. 1080 is a synthetic version of a natural toxin found in some Australian plants, with dogs and foxes being particularly sensitive, allowing effective low-dose usage while many native animals have some resistance.
CPE ejector baits are located in bushland, away from recreational areas, tracks and trails. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times to ensure they stay on marked trails, away from the baits. The spring-loaded ejector bait stations are used as they cannot be moved or buried to be eaten and require a strong upward pull to set them off, making them the safest method to avoid risk to domestic pets and any other native animals.
As a result of these pest control efforts, we are seeing increasing numbers of quail, bush turkeys, possums, wallabies and other similar species that would normally be impacted by foxes.
For further information on the management of invasive species in NSW, please see NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028.