Invasion Nation: The Unwelcome Guests in Our Backyard
When it comes to Australia, one thing’s for sure: we’ve got a major problem with invasive species. From plants and grasses to pigs, rabbits, and cane toads, our continent’s no stranger to unwanted visitors. But few have been as successful – or as devastating – as the fox.
Meet the Feral Fox: A Menace to Aussie Land and Livestock
With an estimated 1.7 million feral foxes roaming free across 80% of Australia’s landmass, it’s no wonder they’re considered one of the country’s most significant environmental threats. First introduced by European settlers, these cunning critters have made themselves right at home, wreaking havoc on our native wildlife and livestock.
The Hunter’s Mission: Controlling the Fox Population
Enter Adam Wright, a full-time electrician and hunter from Western Australia who’s taken it upon himself to fight back against the fox invasion. What started as a hobby to help local farmers has turned into a fox-focused feral animal control business, helping everyone from small property owners to large-scale agricultural operators keep the foxes at bay.
Adam’s team of licensed hunters doesn’t just remove foxes; they meticulously record data on the animals they catch, including sex, weight, and dietary habits. And whenever possible, they prioritize ethical kills.
The Devastating Impact on Livestock and Native Wildlife
Foxes are notorious predators, preying on lambs, chickens, and young calves, causing significant economic losses for farmers. Adam’s team has seen firsthand the devastating impact: on one farm they work with, they’ve reduced lamb losses from 200 to just 19 per year.
But it’s not just livestock that’s affected. Foxes are estimated to kill some 300 million native mammals, birds, and reptiles each year, making them a major threat to Australia’s biodiversity.
The Backlash and the Importance of Awareness
As you might expect, Adam’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed – or unchallenged. He’s faced vitriol and backlash from animal rights advocates online. But he’s determined to raise awareness about the importance of feral animal control, even if it means posting confronting images of hunts online.
“We’re not just hunters; we’re also influencers,” Adam says. “We’re using social media to spread our message and develop new technologies to aid our work.”
The Call for Government Action
While Adam’s efforts are crucial, he knows that more needs to be done to drive down fox numbers. He’s calling for the WA government to reintroduce a fox bounty scheme, which has proven successful in Victoria. He also wants to see more opportunities for recreational shooters to access public land, as is done in the US.
The Fight Against Feral Foxes is Far from Over
The feral fox epidemic is a complex issue, but one thing’s clear: it’ll take a concerted effort from hunters, scientists, researchers, and governments to make a dent. As Adam’s story shows, there are people on the ground fighting the good fight – but we need more.
Will you join the conversation and share your thoughts on the feral fox epidemic?