Foxes in Tasmania - A Grave Threat to Our Wildlife

The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was introduced to mainland Australia as early as the 1850s. Since that time the fox has inflicted enormous impacts on the native wildlife of Australia, being implicated in the extinction of many native animals. Indeed, Australia's appalling record of mammal extinctions in the last 200 years - the worst in the world - is in no small part due to the fox.

Cleveland fox, discovered on the Glen Esk Rd in Cleveland on 1st August 2006

Increased evidence of the presence of foxes in Tasmania has been growing since the late 1990s.  It is unproven how foxes may have arrived in the State, whether deliberately introduced or accidental introduction via cargo ship or other – or a combination of both; but those that are here must be found and eradicated. 

When it first began in 2002 the Fox Free Tasmania Taskforce was a part of the Parks and Wildlife Service, but it is now part of the Resource Management and Conservation division of the Department of Primary Industries and Water.  The following link will direct you to the Fox Free Tasmania Taskforce web pages.  These pages include details of Taskforce activities including its baiting regime; hard evidence of the presence of foxes which has been discovered in the State; how the public can identify foxes or signs of their presence; the damage foxes would do if established, and much more.

If you see an animal you believe to be a fox, call the Taskforce Hotline on 1300 369 688.  Caller’s details are always kept private, but the information you provide may be vital in ensuring this efficient, adaptable predator never establishes in Tasmania.

Further details can be found at our wildlife pages, at "Foxes in Tasmania - A Grave Threat to our Wildlife"