Wild dogs and foxes targeted across Hawkesbury in Spring campaign – look after pets as poison placed

Biosecurity experts are once again joining forces with landholders in the Hawkesbury to launch a pest animal control campaign throughout spring using 1080 baits.

Bait target – a fox with a young joey caught on remote camera by Local Land Services

The Hawkesbury program will target impacted properties in the Upper Colo, Kurrajong, Bilpin, Wilberforce, Richmond, Yarramundi, Tennyson areas, and on into Yellow Rock, Cattai and Winmalee, as well as the Megalong Valley.

Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, the program is set to target wild dogs and foxes threatening livestock, wildlife, and domestic pets in the area.

Project lead, Biosecurity Officer Jacob French, said the program was going ahead in line with strict COVID safety protocols.

“While the risk of COVID in our region is very real, feral pests don’t listen to stay-at-home orders and we know wild dogs and foxes are more active during spring.”

“That’s why Local Land Services has set up contactless bait collection to allow us to continue carrying out this critical work while still protecting ourselves and our customers,” said Mr French.

He added that while this year’s program was smaller due to COVID safety protocols, landholder cooperation and involvement remained strong.

Greater Sydney Local Land Services biosecurity officers Gen Kyi, Jacob French and Daniel Riva inspect a map of local properties (left), Biosecurity officer Jacob French with Gen Kyi in the field

“The support of our landholders is critical to achieving the best outcomes and is crucial to the success of our program,” he said.

He said the program would see the use of 1080 baits and candid pest ejectors placed strategically on properties in line with strict government legislation.

“Only authorised, fully trained operators with current chemical qualifications are permitted to use 1080 or prepare baits, which includes our officers and all involved landholders,” he said.

“Rules around use include a comprehensive risk assessment of target areas, extensive public notification processes, placing baits minimum distances from habitation, use of remote cameras to minimise presence of non-target animals, clear signposts, as well as bait tethering and/or burying to further protect native wildlife and domestic pets.”

Wild dogs like these – the top one with a caught kangaroo – are being targeted by Local Land Services in order to protect native wildlife

Mr French said many people didn’t realise 1080 was a naturally occurring toxin found in more than 30 species of native Australian plants, it doesn’t damage the natural environment, as it’s water soluble and readily broken down by naturally occurring bacteria and fungi.

“Australia’s native wildlife have evolved tolerance to 1080, unlike the introduced dog and fox. That is why it is considered the best environmental option control pest animals,” he said.

The program will run for just under a month, beginning this coming Wednesday September 22, and run until 20 October.

For more information on the use of 1080 visit bit.ly/3BiuP92.

Contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 for more information.

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