Collaborative win on fox control in North West LHPA

Landholders adjoining the Mount Kaputar National Park are beginning to see the benefits of a cooperative fox baiting program coordinated by the North West Livestock Health and Pest Authority and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The program, involving nine properties in the area, is aimed at saving the endangered brush-tailed rock wallaby population but also benefits neighbouring properties by reducing the impact foxes have on stock.

Funded by NPWS, the program will run for a period of six months and forms part of a broader coordinated fox baiting program which has been successfully implemented in the area over several years. 

North West LHPA pest animal ranger Jamie Maddocks says the first baiting program for 2010 has been completed with positive results, proving the cooperative control program is the most effective way of reducing the impact of pests.

"The key to this successful program is our partnership with NPWS as well as strong support from local landholders," Mr Maddocks said.

"The recent baiting period appears to have been successful, with a number of bait takes recorded for the program on private land."

Local community meetings were held in late 2009 to discuss the results of the original Namoi CMA funded baiting programs and give interested parties an opportunity to suggest options for the future.

Landholders at the meeting were keen to see the program continue into the future which led to further funding being secured and the project again extended to private land.

"It's great to see landholders and government agencies working together on a program that will benefit both the environment and agriculture," Mr Maddocks said.

The next baiting program will be conducted in May and June.

Landholders are reminded that the baiting program conducted by the North West LHPA within the project area should be complemented by control of foxes on their property throughout the year.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378