Preliminary Field Assessment of a Cabergoline Baiting Campaign for Reproductive Control of the Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes).

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA Marks ◽  
M Nijk ◽  
F Gigliotti ◽  
F Busana ◽  
RV Short
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Reproductive Control ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Fox Control

The use of poison baiting in Australia to control foxes is impractical in urban areas and some wildlife reserves because of hazards to non-target animals. More acceptable methods of fox control in such environments are needed. Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist that has previously been demonstrated to have an abortifacient effect in cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris). The prolactin-inhibiting action of cabergoline may also result in cessation of lactation. Cabergoline has been shown to be completely palatable to foxes and is easily incorporated into a non-poisonous bait. The ability of bait-delivered cabergoline to effect the birth of viable fox cubs was tested in urban Melbourne and rural Bendigo, Victoria. A sample of 51 natal dens were chosen for this study on the basis that they had been active for 3 consecutive years (1991-93). 30 treatment dens were randomly selected and each treated once during August and again during September 1994 with 8 non-poisonous Foxoff baits containing 170 micro g of cabergoline and 200 mg of tetracycline to act as a biomarker. The remaining 21 dens were used as controls. Baits were randomly placed by burial within a 50-m radius of the den. Activity of all dens was assessed until December 1994 for direct/indirect signs of fox cubs. Bait uptake was >88% overall for the treatment dens. The resulting incidence of cubs was significantly lower in the treatment dens than in the controls. The potential for cabergoline to be used in urban areas and island populations as an adjunct to conventional control methods is discussed.

scholarly journals Adaptations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to urban environments in Sydney, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Gil-Fernández ◽  
Robert Harcourt ◽  
Thomas Newsome ◽  
Alison Towerton ◽  
Alexandra Carthey
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sydney Australia ◽  
Site Types

Abstract With urban encroachment on wild landscapes accelerating globally, there is an urgent need to understand how wildlife is adapting to anthropogenic change. We compared the behaviour of the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at eight urban and eight peri-urban areas of Sydney, Australia. We observed fox behaviour around a lure and compared fox activity patterns to those of potential prey and to two domestic predators (dogs—Canis lupus familiaris and cats—Felis catus). We assessed the influence of site type, vegetation cover, and distance from habitation on fox behaviour, and compared the temporal activity patterns of urban and peri-urban red foxes. Urban red foxes were marginally more nocturnal than those in peri-urban areas (88% activity overlap). There was greater overlap of red fox activity patterns with introduced mammalian prey in urban areas compared with peri-urban areas (90% urban vs 84% peri-urban). Red fox temporal activity overlapped 78% with cats, but only 20% with dogs, across both site types. The high degree of overlap with cats and introduced mammalian prey is most likely explained by the nocturnal behaviour of these species, while pet dogs are generally kept in yards or indoors at night. The behavioural differences we documented by urban red foxes suggest they may adapt to human modifications and presence, by being more nocturnal and/or more confident in urban areas.

The potential for participatory landscape management to reduce the impact of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on lamb production

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette J. McLeod ◽  
Glen R. Saunders ◽  
Steven R. McLeod ◽  
Michelle Dawson ◽  
Remy van de Ven
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Control Effort ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fox Control

ContextRed fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation has an impact on populations of many species throughout its range worldwide, and as such, the red fox is the target of control programs. AimsWe investigated the potential for participatory landscape management to reduce the impact of fox predation on a major prey species, lambs. MethodsThe present study monitored fox-management programs already operating across 4.5 million hectares of regional New South Wales to compare the impact of varying (frequency and spatial coverage) control effort on lamb survival. Key resultsThe frequency and timing of fox control was correlated with lamb survival. Lamb survival was higher in areas where fox baiting was carried out twice a year, in autumn and late winter/spring. Spatial coverage of the control program was also positively correlated with lamb survival. Properties that had near neighbours (up to 2.5 km away) participating in group fox-control programs had higher survival of lambs than properties that did not. ConclusionsThese results support the development of a high level of group participation in fox-control programs that considers both spatial extent and frequency of baiting programs. They also support a movement away from the reactionary, short-term practice of baiting small areas to protect vulnerable prey. ImplicationsCoordinated group-baiting programs are likely to deliver improved lamb survival and should be promoted in areas where ongoing control programs for foxes are necessary.

The diet of the feral cat (Felis catus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and dog (Canis familiaris) over a three-year period at Witchelina Reserve, in arid South Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
Sally L. South ◽  
Paul Drummond ◽  
Gregory R. Johnston ◽  
Alex Nankivell
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Pogona Vitticeps ◽  
First Time

Introduced predators have had, and continue to have, severe impacts on Australian biodiversity. At a recently established conservation reserve, Witchelina, in arid South Australia, we assessed the diet of feral cats (Felis catus) (404 samples), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (51 samples) and dog (Canis familiaris) (11 samples) over a 3-year period. There was marked overlap (98.5%) in dietary composition between cats and foxes. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) comprised a major dietary item for all three predators. Invertebrates contributed the largest number of prey items for foxes and cats, but mammals comprised the bulk, by weight, for all three predators. Birds and reptiles had a higher frequency of occurrence in the diet of cats than of foxes or dogs. The size of mammal prey taken was least for cats and greatest for dogs. The diets of cats and foxes showed significant seasonal variation, with reptiles and invertebrates being least common in the diet in winter. The threatened thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis modestus) was found for the first time in the diet of feral cats. Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) occurred in about one-third of cat and fox samples. This study contributes further to the evidence of biodiversity impacts of introduced predators, and the need for their strategic management.

Immediate post-release survival of eastern barred bandicoots Perameles gunnii at Woodlands Historic Park, Victoria, with reference to fox activity.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Long ◽  
AJ Robley ◽  
K Lovett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Fox Control

On mainland Australia, eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) are now restricted to a single wild population at Hamilton in western Victoria, and recovery efforts are focussed on establishing new populations at reintroduction sites. The success in founding these populations has been variable, and post-release survival has not been accurately quantified. It is believed that predation by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is largely responsible for post-release loss of P. gunnii, despite the implementation of predator control programs at release sites. An intensive fox control program was established to protect 10 released P. gunnii at Woodlands Historic Park, near Melbourne. Monitoring of fox activity was undertaken prior to and after the release in an attempt to better understand the effectiveness of control operations. Seven bandicoots were known to be alive at the conclusion of the study five weeks after their release (and an additional animal was trapped four months later), with weight loss appearing to be an important factor in determining post-release survival. Despite constant levels of bait-take by V. vulpes, fox activity measured from sand-pads remained high. We hypothesise that the presence of suitable refugia is allowing the persistence of a low-density bandicoot population at Woodlands despite constant, high levels of fox activity.

Evidence for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) exploitation of anthropogenic food sources along an urbanization gradient using stable isotope analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Handler ◽  
E.V. Lonsdorf ◽  
D.R. Ardia
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Anthropogenic Food

As urban areas expand, wildlife show adaptations to urban ecosystems. We tested two hypotheses for urban populations of red fox (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)) in urban areas: the population pressure hypothesis, which posits that urban foxes make do with suboptimal habitat, and the urban island hypothesis, which presumes that urban areas provide high-quality habitat. We investigated habitat quality by investigating anthropogenic food in fox diets across a rural–urban gradient in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (USA). We used stable carbon isotopes because human food can have a distinct stable carbon isotope signature. We collected fox hair and stomach samples from 21 locations and extracted land use and land cover characteristics within a 100 ha buffer area. We found that higher δ13C values in fox hair were positively correlated with impervious surface cover and developed open spaces, key metrics of urbanization, and negatively associated with agricultural land cover, an indicator of rural habitats. Overall, fox hair δ13C was less related to urbanization and more related to the availability of developed open spaces that provide habitat with vegetation cover and access to nearby food sources. Our results suggest that urban habitats are high quality and support the growing literature revealing that certain species may thrive in urban areas.

scholarly journals Secrets of the Astute Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes, Linnaeus, 1758): An Inside-Ecosystem Secret Agent Serving One Health

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Andreia Garcês ◽  
Isabel Pires
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Control ◽  
Secret Agent

An ecosystem’s health is based on a delicate balance between human, nonhuman animal, and environmental health. Any factor that leads to an imbalance in one of the components results in disease. There are several bioindicators that allow us to evaluate the status of ecosystems. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes, Linnaeus, 1758) has the widest world distribution among mammals. It is highly adaptable, lives in rural and urban areas, and has a greatly diverse diet. Being susceptible to environmental pollution and zoonotic agents, red foxes may act as sentinels to detect environmental contaminants, climatic changes and to prevent and control outbreaks of emerging or re-emerging zoonosis. This paper aims to compile the latest information that is related to the red fox as a sentinel of human, animal, and environmental health.

Distinguishing characteristics of the hairs of wild and domestic canids from Alberta

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan. J. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Distinguishing Features ◽  
Region Size ◽  
Band Number

Dorsal, ventral, and lateral guard hairs were examined from 12 wolves (Canis lupus), 14 coyotes (Canis latrans), six domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), and six red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to determine distinguishing features. Wolf and coyote hairs are not separable using present techniques. However, wolf–coyote hair can be identified by its total length, band number and size, and distinctive basal cuticle scale pattern. Red fox hair is characteristic in its length, color, tip region size, basal cuticle scale pattern, and medulla cross section. Domestic dog hair is identified by its length and basal cuticle scale pattern. Several macroscopic and microscopic hair characteristics of Alberta canids are different from those of eastern canids.

Primary osteoblast culture from red fox (Vulpes Vulpes)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Pedro Perpetuo ◽  
Alessandro Felder ◽  
Andrew Pitsillides ◽  
Michael Doube ◽  
Isabel Orriss
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Primary Osteoblast ◽  
Osteoblast Culture

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

Mammal Review ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Heather M. Crawford ◽  
Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson ◽  
Stuart J. Dawson ◽  
Christopher R. Dickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Patterns ◽  
Temporal And Spatial
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