Hurlstone Agricultural High School executes fox hunt over the holidays

Armed contractors have been hired by a prestigious school to take lethal action against a burgeoning population of foxes in Sydney’s southwest for the second time this year.

A sydney southwest school has hired contractors to take out red foxes reportedly roaming school grounds.

A prestigious school has hired gun-slinging contractors to take lethal action against a red fox population in Sydney’s southwest.

Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield announced plans for armed “pest control activities” over the school holidays since its previous round of shooting in the Easter holidays two months ago.

An Education Department spokeswoman said there were between 20 and 40 red foxes on the selective school grounds based on its “observation and historical records”.

Culling operations at the high school are carried out about twice a year on a needs basis.

The most recent fox hunt began in June and continues until July 16. Red foxes are classified as a priority pest animal under NSW law because of their predation on small mammals and birds, which has had devastating impacts on native animals and livestock.

A recent study found red foxes killed about 300m native animals a year across Australia and cost the agricultural sector more than $200m a year.

European red foxes were introduced by settlers in the 1800s and their population has since boomed across Australia.

Previous methods to control the school’s fox population included 1080 poison, which faced backlash from animal rights activists and the community because of its lethal effect not just on foxes but also humans, dogs, cats and native wildlife.

“The risk of this poison is too great for our kids, wildlife, pets and community,” a Sydney Fox and Dingo Rescue spokes...... wrote in a petition against 1080 poison.

“Death in some species can take up to two days during which time they will suffer seizures, vomiting, loss of bladder control and extreme distress,” they wrote.

Animal liberation activists protest against the use of the poison 1080.

Their petition against its use at Hurlstone Agricultural High School received almost 800 signatures in 2022.

School Infrastructure NSW is responsible for undertaking the plan while Hurlstone Agricultural High School continues its $60m upgrade to boarding and farm facilities expected to be completed this year.

Hurlstone Agricultural High School $60m upgrade to boarding and farm facilities is expected to be completed late 2024. Picture: NSW Education

An artist’s impression of the upgrade. Picture: NSW Education

The department spokesman said the activities were scheduled during the school holidays to minimise school disruption and ensure student safety.

“Foxes have been observed at the school over many years and they have contributed to the death of a range of small livestock on site including chickens,” he said.

He was unable to confirm if any recent attacks had taken place or specifics regarding the impact of the fox population.