INVASIVE SPECIES

B.DEVARSHINI
22011BC004
“Invasive species"—they
may not sound very
threatening, but these
invaders, large and small,
have devastating effects
on wildlife.
Invasive species are among the leading
threats to native wildlife. Approximately
42 percent of endangered species are at
risk due to invasive species.

Human health and economies are also at

risk from invasive species. The impacts
of invasive species on our natural
ecosystems and economy cost billions of
dollars each year. Many of our
commercial, agricultural, and
recreational activities depend on healthy
native ecosystems.
THE EUROPEANRED FOX
 THE
EUROPEAN
RED FOX
Scientific name : Native: Northern Foxes are small, It also has a large, Adult male foxes
Vulpes vulpes countries like active canids with a very noticeable, weigh around 6 kg,
crucigera Europe, Asia, North reddish-brown coat bushy tail that is while females weigh
America and above white tipped about 5 kg
Northern Africa.
Distribution map
The European Red Fox has the largest natural
distribution of any living terrestrial mammal apart
from man. They can be found naturally throughout
most of the northern hemisphere including Europe,
Asia, North America and Northern Africa
The European fox was deliberately introduced into
Australia for hunting purposes. Foxes quickly
became established following releases in the
1870’s in southern Victoria. Foxes colonised
rapidly; by 1893, foxes were a nuisance in north-
eastern Victoria and by 1930 they occupied most
of southern Australia. Foxes are a major invasive
species in Australia that threaten agricultural and
native species alike.
Life cycle
Foxes breed once a year in winter with cubs born in
spring. The fox’s gestation period is 51−53 days.
Litter size ranges from 4–10.
Australian studies suggest there are very few non-
breeding females in fox populatons. As a result, fox
populations can withstand high yearly mortality rates
(~65%) and recover to pre-control population levels.
 Mortality of young foxes is generally high, with up to
80% dying in the first year. Poisoning, hunting,
roadkills, disease, predation, food shortage and
social factors contribute to mortality. Foxes in
Australia have few natural predators, birds of prey
and dogs in particular can kill foxes, particularly cubs.
IMPACTS
IMPACTS

ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY HUMANS

 ECOSYSTEM
They currently threatening 14 species of
bird, 48 mammal species and 12 reptile
species. In fact, almost any animal up to
5.5 kilograms in weight is at risk of fox
predation.
Foxes have been implicated in dispersing
seeds from the fruit of a variety of weed
species such as blackberries and olives
The establishment of feral olive trees
represents a signifi cant environmental
threat in native forests and woodlands
since their dense canopy can shade out
other plants
 ECOSYSTEM
The fox has played a major role in the
decline of ground-nesting birds, small to
medium sized mammals such as the
greater bilby, and reptiles such as the green
turtle.
Foxes have been implicated in dispersing
seeds from the fruit of a variety of weed
species such as blackberries and olives
The establishment of feral olive trees
represents a signifi cant environmental
threat in native forests and woodlands
since their dense canopy can shade out
other plants
 ECONOMY
The fox causes significant
economic losses to farmers by
preying on newborn lambs, kid
goats and poultry.

The economic impact of foxes in

Australia has been estimated at
around $227.5 million per annum.
This includes: $17.5 million in
sheep production losses $190
million in environmental impacts
$16 million in management costs
$4 million in research costs.
 HUMANS
introduced into Australia.,
Foxes also carry diseases that are
transmissible to domestic dogs and
humans such as:

• sarcoptic mange
• hydatids
• leptospirosis.
IN URBAN ENVIRONMENT
IN URBAN
ENVIRONMENT
•harassing domestic
animals
•eating pet food
•raiding rubbish bins
•defecating or digging
in gardens
•chewing
infrastructure such as
garden hoses and
irrigation systems.
 GUARD
ANIMAL
S

CONTROL
TRAPPIN EXCLUSIVE
G FENCING

POISONI
SHOOTI NG
NG
 GUARD
ANIMALS

FERTILITY EXCLUSIVE
CONTROL FENCING

CONTRO
TRAPPING
L POISONING

SHOOTING
EXCLUSIVE
FENCING

Fencing is generally regarded as a Fences may also cause direct harm Before fences are constructed,
humane technique to control to individuals through collision and consideration should be given to
foxes or associated damage, since entanglement injuries, where the potential effects of their
it relies upon exclusion rather animals may become injured as a design and placement on non-
than lethal measures to reduce result of colliding with, or target and target species. .
damage. attempting to cross the fence .
POISONING

Poisoning with sodium

monofluoroacetate (1080) is used to minimise
the impact of the introduced European red fox Poisoning of non-target species can occur either
(Vulpes vulpes) on native fauna and agricultural directly by eating baits or vomitus from a poisoned
production. Other fox control methods include animal to detect footprints.
shooting, trapping, den fumigation, den
destruction and exclusion fencing.
 Australia, landowners are permitted to hunt and
shoot foxes on their own land provided they are
appropriately licenced. Recreational hunters and

SHOOTING shooters need to gain permission from private

landowners to hunt or shoot on their land.

Rimfire rifles (.22 and .22 magnum) at short

distances, but high velocity centrefire rifles (.222
or greater) are recommended for most field
situations to ensure a swift and humane kill.
TRAPPING
Trapping of foxes is not suitable for undertaking
largescale control of foxes, and generally lags
behind baiting and shooting in popularity.
However, trapping is often the only means of
removing foxes in closely settled or populated
areas where other techniques are unable to be
used
FERTILITY
CONTROL
Immunocontraception Another
approach to fertility control is This is essentially where an individual’s
immunocontraception. Immunocontr immune system attacks its own eggs or
aception would ideally maintain sperm and prevents it from
normal endocrine function and reproducing.
reproductive behaviour, but prevent
pregnancy
How the Australian
Government is dealing
with a national problem
 Preventing foxes occupying new areas in
Australia and eradicating foxes from
highconservation-value ‘islands’;

Promoting the maintenance and recovery of

native species and ecological communities that
area affected by fox predation;
Improving knowledge and understanding of fox
impacts and interactions with other species and
other ecological processes;

Improving the effectiveness, target specificity,

integration and humaneness of control options
for foxes; and
Increasing awareness of all stakeholders of
the objectives and actions of the threat
abatement plan, and of the need to control
and manage foxes
LEAGAL
REQUIREMENTS

The European fox is a category 3, The Act requires everyone to take At a local level, each local
4, 5 and 6 restricted invasive all reasonable and practical government must have a
animal under the Biosecurity Act measures to minimise the biosecurity plan that covers
2014. It must not be moved, kept, biosecurity risks associated with invasive animals in its area. This
fed, given away, sold, or released invasive animals under their plan may include actions to be
into the environment.. control. This is called a general taken on certain species.. .
biosecurity obligation (GBO). .