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.