Cunning as a fox!

Thursday 9 August, 2012

Parks Victoria in partnership with Field and Game Australia (Sale Branch) conducted its annual fox drive at Jack Smith Lake State Game Reserve on the weekend.

Thirty members attended the event, supported by Parks Victoria Rangers, with 10 foxes shot.

Parks Victoria’s Ranger in Charge Mr Gerard Delaney said Field and Game Australia (Sale Branch) conduct a safe and professional operation, and we were delighted to utilise their expertise to assist us with feral fox management at the Jack Smith Lake State Game Reserve.

“Our relationship with Field and Game Australia has been a solid working partnership for many years, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future”, added Mr Delaney.

The fox drive event is part of Parks Victoria’s integrated fox and rabbit control program for the Jack Smith Lake State Game Reserve, along with regular baiting and trapping throughout the year.

Special permission is given to Field and Game Australia (Sale Branch) to shoot foxes for this particular operation, which is not usually permitted in the Reserve.

 “Jack Smith Lake is looking quite picturesque at the moment due to the heavy rainfall in the past few months, which has also attracted plentiful birdlife to return to the lake in large numbers”.

“However, continuing to control foxes is vital to ensure we protect the bird population and native animals, as well as for the neighbouring graziers and their livestock”.

“Each fox consumes around 180kg of live food annually and a significant proportion of that will be native small mammals, so programs like this make a real difference to the park and adjoining landowners."