Fox Facts
The European Red Fox - Vulpes Vulpes

Impact

The European Red Fox was released into Melbourne Australia around 1855 for recreational hunting, and has now become one of the most widespread wild animals in Australia. The fox has spread to Western Australia within 50 years and can be up to as many as 10-12 per square kilometre in some areas. The European Red Fox is Australia's No.1 predator. It threatens the long term survival of a range of our native wildlife, including the Rock Wallaby, Numbat, Brush Tailed Bettong and the Bilby, which in future, may become extinct.

Foxes also prey on newborn lambs, goat kids, calves and many other animals, causing significant economic losses to farmers in areas where fox numbers are high. The number of lamb losses due to the fox can be as high as 30% in some areas of Australia, and have cost wool and meat producers millions of dollars in lost stock.
Foxes have been in Australia for over 120 years and have played a major role in the decline of a number of native animals. They are potential hosts of disease such as rabies, which can threaten human and animal health.

Foxes are a known threat to the following wildlife:

Birds
Malleefowl & Little Turn

Mammals
Western Quoll, Rofous Hare Wallaby, Greater Bilby.
Numbat, Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
BlackFooted Rock Wallaby, Long Footed Potoroo.

Foxes are a perceived threat to the following wildlife:

Amphibians
Baw Baw Frog

Birds
Night parrot, Orange Bellied parrot.
Western Ground Parrot, Mount Lofty Southern Emu Wren.
Black Brested Button Quail.

Mammals
Djoongari, Burrowing Bettong, Julia Creek Dunnart.
Northern bettong, mountain Pygmy Possum.
Mulgara, Kowari, Greater Stick nest Rat.
Bridled Nail Tail Wallaby, Dibbler, Brush Tail Rock Wallaby.
Gilberts Potoroo, Hastings River Mouse & Central Rock Rat.

Reptiles
Striped Legless Lizard.
Leathery Turtle & Western Swamp Tortoise