April is a great time for farmers to plan how they will control foxes, rabbits and feral cats in the year ahead. The most effective strategy for each species is to integrate appropriate control methods.
One method for fox control is 1080 poison baits. Farmers can look into applying for or amending Registered Pesticide (RP) permits now to be sure the permits are ready when they actually want to bait, especially for the late winter and spring period when fox baiting is most effective. A plan to bait for foxes or rabbits with 1080 poison requires RP training to safely handle and use 1080 (which can be done online) as well as a current RP permit which can take a few weeks to process. It is too late to bait once there are young lambs on the ground. DPIRD’s website has more information on RP permits www.agric.wa.gov.au/baits-poisons/registered-pesticide-permits
North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources (NSPNR) with DPIRD and Fitzgerald Biosphere Group (FBG) will offer free RP training in July through NSPNR’s project, Expanded predator control program in the Fitz-Stirling Corridor. Contact Laura (below) to register your interest.
NSPNR is also calling for Expressions of Interest for free fox baits supplied through the project for laying in summer/autumn 2024 (download the form due 15th April).
The Expanded predator control program in the Fitz-Stirling Corridor project aims to reduce numbers of feral cats, foxes and rabbits in the area between the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River national parks. This will reduce pressure on native animals including malleefowl, chuditch and Carnaby’s black cockatoo. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
The project has had a successful start to the year with the NSPNR – Yongergnow Feral Animal Tally and Community Breakfast which saw teams from across the Shire of Gnowangerup shoot 180 foxes, 8 cats and 41 rabbits. The winning team alone shot 37 foxes. A local farmer also brought in 5 foxes and a rabbit.
Fitzgerald Biosphere Group (FBG), Bush Heritage Australia and the Wellstead Progress Association are also involved in delivering this project and have held events recently to raise awareness about foxes, rabbits and feral cats in the area and reduce their numbers.
Farmers in the region are encouraged to continue to put pressure on fox and rabbit populations with appropriate control methods such as 1080 baits and shooting and to desex their domestic cats.
For more information contact Laura Page, Project Officer, laura@nspnr.com.au 0401 553 285 .
