Just tell the public

THE Tasmanian Fox Free Taskforce was established in 2001 after claims that person or persons yet to be identified intentionally brought up to 20 foxes into Tasmania and then released them at least four separate sites across the State.

If this covert smuggling activity did take place, it did so because Tasmania’s border quarantine was inadequate.

If it did not, then the Tasmanian community has been sold a fox cub!

These allegations are extremely serious. In June 2002 then Environment Minister, Hon Mr David Llewellyn in a statement to The Mercury newspaper stated that environmental vandals had brought the foxes into the state to use them for shooting as sport. He estimated the fox population at 11 to 20.

During the 2002 budget estimates committee hearings Jim Wilkinson MLC for Nelson asked whether the existence of foxes was certain. Minister Llewellyn (who is also Police Minister) replied: “There are allegations that several litters of foxes were brought in. Police worked some time on that and a lot of people were interviewed.”

In October 2004 Mr Tony Fletcher, then MLC for Murchison asked Mr Michael Aird, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council

‘What evidence is there to substantiate the claim of 5 June 2002 by the then Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment that ‘up to 19 foxes were brought to Tasmania and released’?

Mr Aird read the following reply into Hansard:

Information received in late 2001 identified three persons allegedly involved in smuggling 11 fox cubs into Tasmania in September 2000. The information also stated that a mixture of male and female cubs had been selected for breeding purposes.

Mortality rates

The information indicated that there has been an earlier attempt in 1998 to import a smaller number of cubs, which appeared to have failed. The figure of between 11 and 19 was determined on the basis that one breeding season had passed and that given the average mortality rates of foxes, the population could be between 11 and 19 foxes at that time. Further investigations in 2002 indicated that further introductions by other parties may also have been made and these investigations are ongoing. Outcomes from these investigations are likely to assist in our eradication effort rather than prosecution outcomes.

The credibility of these alleged introductions is at the very heart of the decisions to set up and fund the fox taskforce. In July 2001 Tasmania Police assessed and tested the evidence supplied to it by DPIWE. Police Commander Ivan Dean (now MLC for Windermere) concluded in a formal letter into the alleged conspiracy to import foxes into Tasmania by saying:

I think it is fair to say that had the Police received a similar quality of information on a crime, the chances are the rating given it would be been at the lowest end of the scale.

I assume that Commander Dean is stating in no uncertain terms that the evidence at that time was not robust. There have been no announcements on Mr Aird’s statement that, ‘the further investigations in 2002 [which] indicated that further introductions by other parties may also have been made …’

What is the evidence

In the last few years numerous public awareness, conservation newsletters and even a FFTF-initiated Department of Education lesson plan No. 8. www.emagine.education.Tas.Gov.au/Foxfree reiterate these assertions. FFTF biologist, Mr Nick Mooney has made mention of these allegations in postings on the Tasmanian Times website. The precise figure of 19 fox cubs is commonly referred to in public literature. The Government has asserted that ‘the statue of limitations under existing laws to prosecute a successful conviction against person(s) for importation of this declared feral animal. What is the prima facie evidence to support these public statements?

Currently the new Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre is sponsoring an Expert review of the Tasmanian fox incursion and recommendations for future monitoring and management. The Fox Free Taskforce is due to cease in 2006. This review is help to guide future investment in monitoring and fox incursion management. The terms of reference are:

1. After examining available evidence, provide expert commentary as to the likelihood of fox populations occurring in Tasmania;
2. Recommend available techniques for monitoring foxes at low densities and how these might best be applied in Tasmania;
3. Comment on proposals for future R&D or monitoring, including the proposed IA CRC demonstration site; and
4. Comment on any other matters deemed relevant to avoiding or reducing fox impact on Tasmania.

The review panel visited Tasmania when the Australasian Wildlife Management Society held its scientific meeting in Hobart. Wildlife Biologist, Nick Mooney received some publicity on a proposition that State Government establish a Feral Animal Unit within DPIWE. It was a surprise to read Mercury reporter, Rohan Wade’s coverage (The Mercury, Wednesday 23 November) suggesting that this include feral cats. Perhaps this revelation caught everyone on the hop.

Carnivore scats

For years now, the community from farmers, local councils, hunters and the general public have all recognised the impact and significance that feral cats are having across the Tasmanian landscape. The State Government and DPIWE have refused to consider a comprehensive approach to cat control. This call for a wider feral animal strategy is a good concept but cold water has quickly been applied. It’s so disappointing that any worthwhile public debate is again stymied, perhaps because some in the bureaucracy fears the consequences. Little wonder there is chronic suspicion of DPIWE motives and intentions on foxes. What better way to have discussion than to state it publicly, or is it preferred to have discussions among elite company behind closed doors?

The Invasive Animal CRC is developing host-specific DNA probes that will assist in differentiating between the various carnivore scats in our environment (dog, cat, Tasmanian devil, spotted-tail quoll, eastern quoll, and fox). Already this technology will tell precisely whether a scat has the telltale ‘DNA fingerprint’ of fox. If carnivore scats are collected with care and precision, these tests will be important in ongoing monitoring activities. With public suspicion and scepticism high and in order to gain community acceptance such field sampling of scats in Tasmania will need to be handled scrupulous and meticulous.

1080 fox baiting continues unabated in various parts of Tasmania where spotted-tail quolls are likely to be also at risk of poisoning. Now in 2005 with much ‘water under the bridge’ on this fox policy — money paid out, jobs provided, field activities etc. Let us hope that the decisions made in 2001 to fund a broad-scale 1080 baiting program to control foxes in Tasmania were soundly based, open and above all credible.

David Obendorf is a veterinarian.