Managing Foxes as a Pest in Victoria: Impacts and Solutions for Landcare, Environment and Traditional Owner Groups

Webinar: Managing Foxes as a Pest in Victoria

Date: 10th April 2025

Time: 5.30pm – 7.00 pm

Location: Online (link provided upon registration)

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are responsible for significant environmental and economic damage across Australia. Since their introduction in the 1850s, foxes have spread across almost 80% of Australia and are widespread across Victoria, from farmland through the alps to the coast. Populations vary but impacts to Victoria’s unique wildlife and livestock can be significant.

Foxes are one of the most damaging invasive animal species to native wildlife in the country. Estimating biodiversity costs in dollars is very hard to calculate; but predation and competition by foxes has already sent 15 native animals extinct and is pushing more than 95 other species to the brink.

Estimated costs of foxes to agriculture based on private landholder responses to the 2019 ABARES landholder pest and weed management survey was $198 million, $147 million in private control costs and $51 million in residual agricultural losses, $17 million of these losses were to Victorian farmers.

In Victoria, foxes are widespread across rural, peri-urban, and urban areas. Fox management programs are helping to protect wildlife such as little penguins and southern brown bandicoots on Phillip Island; Long-nosed and Long-footed Potoroos, Long-nosed Bandicoots, Eastern Ground Parrot and Giant Burrowing Frog in east Gippsland and the Otways; Heath Mouse, Swamp Antechinus and, the White-footed Dunnart in South West Victoria.

Foxes pose a threat to wildlife and livestock through predation and the spread of disease. In high-density areas, they may also be a health risk to humans and pets in the same ways.

Farmers and landcare groups are also banding together to manage foxes to reduce the loss of lambs and protect biodiversity on farms.

We have the tools, and a good understanding on best practice management of foxes, it is about working together to get the best outcomes.

Come along to our webinar and hear from Gillian Basnett, National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator on

• Why we need to manage foxes
• Best control methods
• What makes a successful program from examples around Australia and Victoria

This session is designed for Landcare groups, environmental organisations, and Traditional Owner groups working to manage invasive species in their local landscapes. Learn about the latest strategies, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to reduce fox impacts in your region.

Register now!

"This event is supported by the Victorian Government through the Partnerships Against Pest, Round 3, Stream 2 Program."