Fox on the run

Council is aware of reports of foxes in Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve. Council’s contractor, CityWide, visited the reserve last week and found no evidence of dens or savaged wildlife. This does not mean that foxes are not running through the reserve at night in search of food.

Foxes are common in urban areas, including Bayside. At this time of year, foxes do not live in dens but shelter under cover. Many foxes live quietly in backyards or garages without residents knowing.  They are generally nocturnal, resting during the day under houses, sheds, woodpiles, drain pipes, car bodies and bushes. They may also travel through properties on route to other food sources.

A fox removed from its territory will quickly be replaced by another. Making your property ‘fox safe’ is the best way to discourage them.

What you can do:

Lock up chickens, ducks, guinea pigs and pet rabbits in a roofed and floored enclosure overnight Clean up food scraps, pet food left outside and excess fruit dropped by fruit trees Cover your compost heap or use a compost bin Never make foxes pets by feeding them Remove weed thickets which provide cover for foxes Do not feed any wildlife Work with your neighbours in eliminating fox attractions.

What you must not do:

Do not encourage foxes by feeding them Do not shoot foxes on public or residential areas Do not use poison for foxes Do not set steel jawed leg hold and neck snare traps – these are prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986).

If you have an active fox den on your property, please contact a local pest control company.  Council does not control foxes from residential properties or private land.

Council manages control of foxes on public land where practicable but they can be wily and wary customers! Council is limited in what they can do to control foxes as the reserve is in an urban area. We cannot bait, shoot or trap foxes in case dogs or other animals are affected. Council can potentially fumigate dens in breeding season which takes place in Spring.

Council will continue to investigate all formal reports of fox sightings on public land.