Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Australia drafts plan to protect threatened wildlife from foxes
Australia is considering a new national plan to reduce the harm caused by invasive European red foxes to native wildlife.
The draft plan was written by Sarah Legge, a professor at Charles Darwin University, and would be the first national update on fox impacts in nearly two decades.
Foxes are established across much of the country and are too numerous to eradicate, but the plan aims to protect the species most at risk.
It proposes more fox-free islands and fenced, predator-proof areas, as well as better coordination between state and federal governments.
A dozen especially vulnerable species have been identified, including the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo and several endangered quolls, bandicoots and turtles.
The plan sets a 30-year goal of securing the long-term survival of native species threatened by foxes.
Full implementation is estimated to cost A$175m over five years, while current spending on fox control is A$5m to A$7m.
The plan’s success will depend on whether it receives dedicated funding.
Australia is considering a draft national plan to protect threatened wildlife from invasive red foxes.
The plan would focus on protecting vulnerable species rather than trying to eradicate foxes.
It calls for more funding for fox-free islands and fenced, predator-proof areas, as well as cooperation between state and federal governments.
The draft sets a 30-year goal of ensuring the long-term survival of native species threatened by foxes.
The environment department estimates full implementation would cost about $175m over five years.
- Who
- The Australian federal environment department is considering the plan, drafted by Sarah Legge.
- What
- A draft national plan aims to reduce fox predation on threatened wildlife.
- When
- It was reported on 10 October 2026. The plan would run over 30 years.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- Foxes are a major threat to native wildlife and have contributed to mammal extinctions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
But we can definitely stop native wildlife population loss and extinction.
But if there’s no dedicated funding streams … then this plan will not work.
And unfortunately the trajectory for a lot of our native mammals is still downward.
Australia’s previous national plan to address foxes was released.
The Guardian reported on the draft plan to protect native wildlife from foxes.
- Estimated fox population
- About 1.7 million
- Estimated annual native mammal kills
- Upwards of 367 million
- Estimated annual bird kills
- 111 million
- Estimated annual reptile kills
- 88 million
- Estimated cost
- About $175m over the first five years
- Current fox-abatement spending
- $5m to $7m
Sources
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