Journal article
Detecting pest and prey responses to fox control across the landscape using remote cameras
AL Towerton, TD Penman, RP Kavanagh, CR Dickman
Wildlife Research | Published : 2011
DOI: 10.1071/WR10213
Abstract
Context The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widespread pest in southern Australia and is subject to control over large areas using poison baits to protect both agricultural and ecological assets. Foxes and their prey are often cryptic or in low densities, making it difficult to quantify the efficacy of control programs. Aims We explore the use of remote cameras to estimate the activity and spatial occupancy of foxes and potential mammalian and avian prey species before and after poison baiting in the Goonoo region, central New South Wales. Methods In the first of two studies, we set camera traps at 48 sites in forest and cleared areas, on and off tracks, during autumn 2009. In the second study,..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Rhett Robinson, Lisa Thomas, Jason Gavenlock and Greg McCann from the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority for help throughout the project with the use and deployment of cameras, as well as Pat Tap from Forests NSW and Cameron Chaffey, Melanie Bannerman, Robert Hurst, Casey Towns and David Brill from NSW National Parks and Wildlife. We thank NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Central West Catchment Management Authority for funding the purchase of cameras. We are extremely grateful to all the landholders who allowed access to their properties for cameras sites. We thank two anonymous referees for their comments on the manuscript. This work was carried out under scientific licence S10860 issued by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.