The Fox Reward
After nearly two years and much interest the $1000 fox reward will be again extended until the 31 December 2008; the eligibility conditions are the same.
Meanwhile …
Download FOI letter: 2008_06_18_letter_K.pdf
Hansard
13. ENVIRONMENT – FOXES
Mr FLETCHER asked a question of the Leader of the Government in the Council –
(1) 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’?
13. ENVIRONMENT – FOXES
Mr FLETCHER asked a question of the Leader of the Government in the Council –
(1) 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’?
(2) What information, including DNA evidence, has been discovered about the fox that was found dead 150 metres from the Burnie Port on 16 October 2003?
(3) (a) Is the impact on native fauna of 1080 fox baits being monitored?
(b) If the answer to (3)(a) is yes, what is the impact to date?
(4) How many Tasmanian devil carcasses have been found?
(5) How many eastern quoll carcasses have been found?
(6) How many tiger quoll carcasses have been found?
(7) How many possum carcasses have been found?
(8) How many macropods have been found?
(9) What kind and how many birds have been affected by 1080 poisoning?
Mr AIRD (Derwent – Leader of the Government in the Council) – Mr President, as the answer is rather lengthy, I seek leave to incorporate it in Hansard.
Leave granted.
The answer read as follows:
(1) 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.
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.
(2) A detailed examination of the fox recovered from the Bass Highway in Burnie was undertaken. It was determined that the fox was a mature vixen of approximately 12 to 18 months of age. Fresh blood and the condition of the fox indicated a very fresh road kill. Pathology results showed that the vixen had not reproduced although she could potentially have produced three cubs if she had. There was no supportive evidence that suggested the fox had been planted on the road and pathology tests showed no indication the fox may have been frozen, a likely scenario if transported from the mainland as a hoax. Testing of gut contents in the lower intestine found remains of a rat, swamp rat being the likely species. DNA testing has been conducted and a comparative test with DNA samples from Tasmania and Victoria is ongoing. These tests are currently inconclusive and further comparative testing is being undertaken.
(3) A thorough study into the impact of baiting on native wildlife, in particular devils and quolls, was undertaken prior to the commencement of broad scale baiting in Tasmania in 2002. This included looking at specific types of baits that were less palatable to native wildlife but still attractive to foxes and the delivery method that would reduce the uptake of baits by native specifies. Over the past two years, no native wildlife carcasses have been recovered as part of the fox baiting program. Monitoring of population densities of quolls and devils prior to and after several baiting programs has shown no impact on overall densities, even during breeding seasons. It is important to note that these native species have significantly higher tolerance to 1080 than foxes, dogs and cats. All baits not taken are recovered so that ongoing monitoring of baseline results can be evaluated to detect any major changes in the uptake of baits by native species. This evaluation is ongoing as well as the search for any carcasses during fox -baiting programs.
(4) See (3) above.
(5) See (3) above.
(6) See (3) above.
(7) See (3) above.
