Sharing the load on control of foxes

Since 2004 Wedderburn CMN has been cooperating with Parks Victoria with respect to the control of foxes in the Wychitella NCR. The WCMN fox baiting program is designed to protect native wildlife in the Wychitella NCR from predation by foxes. We are specifically trying to protect the Malleefowl, a species which is nationally vulnerable, however many other ground-dwellers such as stumpy-tailed lizards and goannas will benefit. A further benefit to adjacent landholders is that they will have to contend with less foxes on their properties.  

The WCMN carried out three baiting periods in 2011/12, between December 2011 and March 2012. We had a total of 34 baits takes during this period - 21 takes from Wedderburn Block, 7 takes from Skinners Flat Block and 6 from Wychitella Block.

Parks Victoria’s baiting took place within the Woosang, Korong vale and Potters hill blocks of the Wychitella NCR from the 26/3/12 to the 28/5/12 by Wilkins Environmental Services. There were 34 baits taken from Potters hill, 3 from Woosang and 4 from Korong vale block from 44 bait stations located on internal and external tracks within the above blocks.

On advice from Wilkins Environmental Services and Parks Victoria field staff a fox drive was organised and completed by the Dunolly and Bendigo Field and Game and Parks Victoria on the 1^st July. Two foxes were shot within the Potters hill block and five at Mt Egbert, this will be followed up with another shoot in August (blocks still to be decided).

Braden Pearce, Parks Victoria, is currently in the process of organising the 2012-13 financial year fox control within the Wychitella NCR in cooperation with WCMN.

Braden Pearce and Karly Learmonth