Fox sightings on the increase in Adelaide’s west
Lock up your pets and keep your chickens secure! Fox sightings are on the increase in Adelaide’s western suburbs with residents shocked by the animals’ brazen behaviour.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Trainer investigated for using bloodied fox tail to excite greyhounds
- Get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Foxes are roaming western streets in increasing numbers, prompting a Port Adelaide Enfield councillor to call for clarity around just who is responsible for their management.
Brenda Batson and her husband returned to their North Haven home on Saturday, about 7.30pm, to find a fox standing in their front garden.
“My husband said that’s either a big cat or there’s a fox in our garden,” Mrs Batson said.
“So we did a U-turn and there he was standing in our garden.
“Hubby drove up and put his car lights on him.
“He did not move.”
Mrs Batson has lived in North Haven for the past 41 years, and said while she had previously spotted foxes in the suburb, this was the first time one had been in her Steadman St garden.
“I’ve seen them on and off but think there’s more around at the moment,” she said.
“I thought this one would run when we shone the lights on him.
“He was not in rush, not fearful.”
Mrs Batson posted photos of the friendly fox on social media, which attracted nearly 200 comments, many from locals saying they too had spotted the animals.
Hallam Bassett said he had heard foxes near the railroad next to his house in Largs while Sarah Cavendar shared a photo of two foxes in Taperoo.
Janet Massey posted a photo of a fox in a West Lakes Shore garden at 4pm.
Many people urged residents to keep their pets inside at night and chickens in a secure area.
Mrs Batson thought the shipyards moving in to the port could have displaced the foxes.
Port Adelaide Enfield councillor David Wilkins said he had been contacted by numerous residents, particularly in the Birkenhead area, asking for information about who was responsible for the management of foxes.
He has a notice of motion going to tonight’s council meeting, asking for staff to prepare a report on the prevalence of foxes in the council area.
Cr Wilkins also wants clarity around the existing responsibilities and challenges in their control, and what options there are available to the council to help residents who encounter foxes on their property.
“The motion is calling for who is actually responsible,” Cr Wilkins said.
“It’s a really tricky one.”
MORE NEWS
Seels Technology rolls out plastics trial in Marion Council area
Pirate Life vacates its first home in Hindmarsh and is now based solely at Port Adelaide
Demand for burial plots at Stirling District Cemetery leads to almost 30 per cent price hike
Green Adelaide operations manager Katharine Ward said foxes were more noticeable during the mating season, which was generally from June to mid-July.
“Depriving them of reliable sources of food and shelter are essential steps in limiting numbers in both urban and rural areas,” she said.
“Anyone keeping small domestic animals such as chickens, birds or pet rabbits should ensure they have a fox-proof enclosure.”
She said foxes were a threat to native birds and animals, and Green Adelaide had an ongoing fox control program at sites including Torrens Island.
Ms Ward said under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, it was the responsibility of property owners to control declared pest animals, such as foxes, on their property.
“In urban areas, safe control options for foxes are limited to cage trapping and den fumigation,” she said.
“Cage traps are available through some councils, while den fumigation is best done through a professional pest control company.”