Foxes killing and maiming backyard chooks and ducks on the northern beaches
An outbreak of foxes are killing and maiming backyard chooks and ducks on Sydney’s northern beaches after being spotted in at least 16 different suburbs.
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FOXES are killing and maiming backyard chooks and ducks across the northern beaches from Avalon to Killarney Heights.
So far in 2018 the feral pests have been spotted in at least 16 different suburbs on the peninsula, latest figures show.
Residents have reported that chickens and ducklings kept in backyard and schoolyard coops have been killed or mauled by foxes in properties at Allambie Heights and Killarney Heights.
Chooks were also savaged in night time attacks in North Narrabeen, according to reports registered with community online group Feral Scan.
People posting on the Allambie Heights Community Facebook page are also reporting fox attacks and sightings in residential properties near the thickly wooded Allenby Park and close to David Thomas Reserve.
One resident, in Bate Ave, lost six chickens to a fox in just one night.
Another local reported that four chickens were killed by a fox in an enclosure at The Beach School in Manlinya Rd.
A fox was seen with a baby possum in its mouth in Jennifer Ave an a resident found a piece of dead chicken in her driveway on busy Allambie Rd.
Richard Merry, of Allambie Heights, told the Manly Daily that he and his two children, Leah, 7, and Connor, 5, were so worried about their four pet chickens, who roam their backyard, that he built a wooden chicken coop.
“We were woken by a disturbance about 5am and saw a fox in the yard,” Mr Merry said.
“This thing was a decent size. It was obviously well fed.”
Another resident, Helen Eavis, who lives close to Allenby Park, said she was shocked to see a large fox in her front garden at midnight that “would have come up to my knees”.
“It was huge,” Ms Eavis said. “They seem to be hanging around homes more and more looking for food.
“I contacted the council because it seems the foxes didn’t take any of the baits in the most recent baiting. A woman on the phone said they would send the contractors out.”
Northern Beaches Council said it arranging trapping around Allambie Heights during November and December, pending approvals.
It also has a biannual poison bait program in bushland reserves including Allenby Park, Manly Dam, Dee Why Lagoon, Middle Creek, Red Hill and North Curl Curl.
The Council is currently trapping near Cross St, Brookvale at the bottom of Allenby Park.
Council’s general manager, environment and infrastructure, Ben Taylor, said that control of foxes and rabbits includes baiting, release of biological controls and shooting which is conducted at various times of year.
“Since the start of the year, hundreds of feral animals have been eradicated,” Mr Taylor said.
FOXES IN THE ‘BURBS in 2018: Source — Feral Scan
Allambie Heights
Avalon
Bilgola Beach
Bilgola Plateau
Belrose
Curl Curl
Dee Why
Duffys Forest
Forestville
Killarney Heights
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Manly Vale
North Balgowlah
North Curl Curl
North Narrabeen
Oxford Falls
Terrey Hills
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