Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161:reg:2:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00161
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 4/7)
Character Range: 24085–27506

• the feasibility of effective remedial action.

  2.2 Conduct and monitor regional fox control, through new or existing programs, in priority areas identified in Action 2.1.                                                                                                    High priority, long term

  2.3 Apply incentives (other than bounties), partnerships and negotiated agreements to promote and maintain on-ground fox control on private or leasehold lands within or adjacent to priority sites identified in Action 2.1.  Medium priority, medium term

    Objective 3
Improve knowledge and understanding of fox impacts and interactions with other species and other ecological processes

Key actions for Objective 3 include developing simple, cost-effective methods for monitoring impacts; improving knowledge of interactions between foxes and native carnivores, and between foxes, cats and wild dogs; and identifying the unintended effects of fox control in isolation from other activities. Actions 3.1–3.4 focus on ensuring that fox control does not lead to unintended effects, through better understanding of the impact of foxes, non-target impacts of control measures and fox interactions with other species. These actions are mostly of medium priority and most will require a long-term commitment. A range of available genetic marker analyses may be useful in improving our knowledge of fox ecology and how best to manage them. Genetic markers can, for example, help improve understanding of invasion routes and population dynamics.

To determine the effectiveness of fox control programs, Action 3.1 is to develop simple, cost-effective methods for monitoring the impact of this invasive species on affected species and ecological processes relative to other sources of impact. Areas for investigation include the feasibility and practicality of individual identification of foxes by genotyping scats or hairs, to help estimate abundance, particularly at low densities.

Interactions between foxes and other species need to be considered when undertaking control programs. Action 3.2 is to investigate interactions between foxes and native carnivores to improve understanding of the impact of foxes on these species in terms of competition and predation. Similarly, Action 3.3 is to investigate interactions between foxes, feral cats, wild dogs and rabbits (competition and/or predation) so that control activities for these four species can be more effectively integrated. For example, certain fences used to exclude foxes can also exclude cats and wild dogs.

Action 3.4 aims to identify any unintended effects (e.g. 'mesopredator release') that fox control may have if it is not integrated with other management activities. This action depends on the results of Actions 3.2–3.3.

Performance indicators

  • Reliable fox monitoring techniques have been developed.
  • Integration of control methods for pest species.
  • The unintended effects of fox control are minimised.
Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Priority and timeframe

  3.1 Develop simple and cost-effective methods for monitoring populations of foxes and the impacts of foxes, including reliable methods for monitoring foxes and key native