Foxes

The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a highly successful invasive pest species in Australia. Introduced in the 1850s for sport hunting, foxes spread rapidly and now occupy nearly 80% of the continent, with exceptions mainly in the tropical north, fenced refuges, and some islands. Declared a pest within 30 years of their release, foxes thrive in a wide range of environments due to their generalist nature and adaptability as hunters and scavengers.

Fox populations are particularly dense in urban and agricultural areas, where food is plentiful and control options are limited. In larger cities fox densities can be two to five times higher than in rural regions. Their presence threatens biodiversity through predation, competition for resources, spreading of weeds, and transmission of parasites and diseases. Foxes have contributed to the extinction of at least 15 native species and remain a major threat to many others.

In agriculture, foxes cause significant losses by killing lambs, kid goats, and poultry, often killing more than they consume. They also damage infrastructure and spread diseases like sarcoptic mange and hydatid tapeworm. Foxes negatively impact human health and wellbeing by attacking livestock and pets, transmitting diseases, and creating a general nuisance in urban areas.