Don’t let your pooches take the bait

DOG owners between Twin Waters and Peregian are being warned to exercise their dogs in dog off-leash areas only as Sunshine Coast Council launches a fox control program.
Throughout winter, Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will be working together to control fox breeding activity and reduce fox predation on native species.
Community Programs and Environment Portfolio holder Cr Jenny McKay said the council had developed the fox control program in response to community concern and monitoring results which indicated predation by foxes may be suppressing populations of animal species which were vulnerable to predation.
“Fox control activities will be occurring in coastal bushland areas from Mudjimba, north to Peregian,” Cr McKay said.
“Species which are particularly vulnerable to fox predation include water mice, ground parrots and endangered loggerhead turtles at the egg and hatchling stage.
“By controlling foxes in bushland areas we hope to reduce the impact these introduced predators are having on coastal wildlife species.”
The council’s fox control program has been developed with significant input and support from Coolum and North Shore Coast Care and Queensland Parks and Wildlife.
President of Coolum and North Shore Coast Care Leigh Warneminde has seen first-hand the impact foxes can have on unprotected turtle nests.
“It is devastating to find a turtle nest or hatchlings that have been destroyed overnight by a fox hunting along the coastal dunes.”
The council has also worked closely with Biosecurity Queensland to obtain endorsement of the program.
Cr McKay said a number of additional risk mitigation treatments had been required to ensure the program is conducted safely.
“During the program, signs will be in place at fox control locations to provide guidance and information for residents and visitors,” Cr McKay said.
“It is very important that residents do not allow their pets to stray into bushland areas where they may be injured by control activities.
“We are expecting a great level of support from the community to bring about effective change to the level of loss of native species in our region.
“The council’s fox control program will be deploying best practice control methods which have been developed and demonstrated in highly successful wildlife conservation programs including the Northern Sydney regional fox control program and Western Australia’s Black Flanked Wallaby recovery program.”
The fox control program will commence 9 June and run until the end of July.
Residents can assist with the management of foxes by reporting suspected fox dens to the council on 5475 7272.