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Home > Invasive Species > Invasive Animals > Foxes in Tasmania > Tasmania's Fox Eradication Program > Fox Evidence Update

Latest Physical Evidence of Foxes in Tasmania

Fact sheets:

**Cleveland fox carcass (2006)**
**Photo: Richmond Loh**

Fox Activity in Tasmania (Map)
(PDF: 215 KB / 1 page map)

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Physical Evidence of Fox Activity (Table)
(PDF: 87 KB / 2 pages)

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Related pages:

Latest update: 13 March 2012

**Fox Scat Detector Dog**

Physical evidence collected since 1998 indicates that an unknown number of foxes - both male and female - are or have recently been present in Tasmania. The accumulation of evidence and ongoing reports of fox activity from members of the public indicate foxes continue to be a serious threat to Tasmania's environment, biodiversity and economy.

Physical Evidence of Fox Activity Collected in Tasmania (since 1998)
Carcasses - 4
Skull - 1
Blood - 1
Footprints - 2
Fox Positive Scats - 61

Searching for physical evidence of fox activity poses unique challenges in the unique Tasmanian landscape. Tasmania is an island of over 60,000 sq km that contains large areas of wilderness and other generally unpopulated areas. Foxes have a natural instinct to avoid threats - such as humans - and are highly mobile, wary and elusive. Added to this is the fact Tasmania contains a unique and diverse native wildlife, including three native carnivores that may leave very similar sign to those of foxes. Given these factors, the likelihood of discovering evidence of fox activity in the landscape using conventional methods is very low.

It is impossible to accurately estimate the density of the Tasmanian fox population. From the physical evidence it might be as low as one fox per 500 km². Research in other parts of the world shows that once foxes are at a density of one per 25 km² they are nearly impossible to find; once at a density of one per 40 km² the chances of finding them virtually collapse. This clearly illustrates the difficulties faced in locating physical evidence of fox activity in Tasmania.

Want to stay up-to-date with the latest evidence of fox activity collected in Tasmania? Click the orange button to register for fox updates.

March 2012: Fox positive scats confirmed from Burnie and Railton

Results received on Friday 9 March 2012 from the University of Canberra’s Institute for Applied Ecology report that two (2) scats have tested positive for fox DNA.

Burnie (1)
Scat collected on 13 July 2011 during strategic monitoring activities. A total of 8 fox positive scats have now been confirmed from the Burnie area since 2002.

Railton (1)
Scat collected near Railton on 14 June 2011 during investigations in the area in response to a fox sighting report received from a member of the public.

Nine (9) other fox positive scats have been collected from within a 10km radius of the current scat:

5 x fox positive scats from Spreyton: collected 7 May 2008, 23 June 2008 & 26 Feb 2010
2 x fox positive scats from Aberdeen: collected 23 Aug 2007 & 19 March 2008
2 x fox positive scats from Barrington: collected 7 May 2008 & 17 June 2008

Both scats are from areas identified as core fox habitat.

The latest physical evidence brings to 61 the total of fox positive scats collected in Tasmania since 2002.

View the Fox Evidence Updates for the period 2001 - 2011.

For further information

Contact: Invasive Species Enquiries

Invasive Species Branch
171 Westbury Road
PROSPECT TAS 7250
Phone: 03 6336 5320
Fax: 03 6336 5453
Email: invasivespecies@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Media enquiries should be directed to 03 6233 3625.

DPIPWE switchboard: 1300 368 550 (local call cost within Australia)

Please report all fox sightings or any possible evidence of fox activity to the 24hr hotline: 1300 FOX OUT (1300 369 688)

Fox Evidence Updates: 2001 - 2011

Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

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