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Essay about Foxes: The Introduced Pest

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A tribute to my beloved hens “Eliza, Barbara and Doris” by backyard pets, consumed by a fox. The Red Fox was first introduced into Australia as early as 1845 as documented by The Australian Government. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/1910ab1d-a019-4ece-aa98-1085e6848271/files/european-red-fox.pdf. Foxes were brought across from England for the use of recreational hunting, as fox hunting was a popular past time in some parts of the United Kingdom and early settlers in Australia wished to pursue this sport. These early colonist were not aware of the impact of this decision, nor did they have the scientific knowledge to understand the…show more content…
They also prey on lambs, sheep and other livestock in rural and farming areas, costing the farmers and Australian economy, not to mention sweet helpless back yard pets like chickens! The fox has few natural or no natural enemies in Australia and few serious diseases. International studies suggest that foxes can survive in most environments except for tropical climates which is why it does not occupy parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Foxes.

In 1845 (as documented by The Australian Government. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/1910ab1d-a019-4ece-aa98-1085e6848271/files/european-red-fox.pdf) when the early settlers first brought a handful of red foxes to Tasmania they did not consider that these mammals would survive and thrive, nor did they consider that along with other feral animals, they could have the potential to spread diseases such as rabies. If foxes were to carry such a disease there could be devastating consequences to the human population if bitten or attacked by a fox.

Foxes have become over populated and a pest in Australia. There are many different ways of controlling foxes in Australia such as 'Den Destruction'. The idea is to destroy the nesting place of the fox. However, den destruction does not work as well for foxes as it does for rabbits as foxes can quickly
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