Evidence suggests red foxes are a primary cause in the decline and extinction of many small and medium-sized rodent and marsupial species in Australia. They also prey on many bird species. The fox has long been recognised as a serious threat to Australian native fauna. Native Australian fauna did not evolve with the fox and hence have few predation avoidance strategies.

The economic impact of foxes in Australia is largely the consequence of predation with recent evidence suggesting that foxes may take from 10–30% of lambs in some areas. As well as affecting lamb production, foxes eat fruit and therefore can act as a vector for weeds. They also eat grapes and chew plastic irrigation equipment. Recent studies have revealed that foxes carry hydatidosis, a zoonotic disease. Physical contact with foxes or their faeces may therefore pose a public health risk

Whilst fox control techniques include lethal baiting, shooting, trapping, den fumigation, and exclusion fencing, the AVert Services team’s preference is to focus on the most humane techniques of shooting, and cage and Eco trapping.