Hornsby Council calls for fox catching program to reduce predator numbers

HORNSBY Council is preparing for battle against feral foxes across the Shire, which has seen a dramatic rise in sightings.

European red fox sightings have increased across the Hornsby Shire.

FIRST it was feral cats, now foxes are the target of Hornsby Council.

Residents have recorded sightings of the feral predator in rural fringes of Hornsby including Galston, Arcadia, Glenorie and Berrilee. There have also been sightings in Asquith and Hornsby Heights.

Hornsby Liberal councillor Michael Hutchence called for the council to contact Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair and NSW Local Land Services to start a “comprehensive, sustained and co-operative fox control program”.

● 40 FERAL CATS CAUGHT IN HORNSBY

“The european red fox is a highly mobile and elusive predator and scavenger,” Cr Hutchence said. “It is one of the greatest threats to our native wildlife and also imposes a significant impact on agricultural industries.

A European Red Fox with a rabbit.

“Being efficient breeders and adaptive predators they are widespread across the shire.”

Cr Hutchence said a regional program was needed to reduce fox numbers.

Recent programs have been implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Lane Cove National Park.

A motion to support the program was passed unanimously by Hornsby Council last week.