Well, LK, "foxes" is what "I do". (I work in feral animal control with the
Qld Dept of Natural Resources and Mines). Foxes are indeed, very common in
Australian towns and cities. There are plenty of scientific studies to
back that up. The Port of Brisbane has very recently done some monitoring,
and they are common right through Fisherman Island area, including the
mangroves. They have been observed (frequently) in every part of Brisbane,
including the city centre, New Farm, etc etc. The situation is the same in
other large population centres. Most people are unaware of their presence,
since they are both retiring and active mostly in dark or twilight.
Foxes certainly would be outnumbered by cats and dogs, but not by several
orders of magnitude. Foxes often exist at higher densities in cities than
in rural areas, simply because there is so much food avaialable for them.
This is also the case in urban areas within the foxes natural range.
Scott O'Keeffe
-----Original Message-----
From:
Behalf Of Laurie &
Leanne Knight
Sent: 11 August 2001 20:33
To: birding-aus
Subject: 1080
Scott O'Keeffe wrote:
>
> LK-
>
> Why do you think that there might be little fox predation in cities vs.
> rural areas? Foxes are extremely common in Brisbane, and indeed, all of
the
> other major population centres south.
>
> Scott O'Keeffe
Your definition of extremely common is obviously different to mine.
Crows are "extremely common" in Brisbane. Brushtail and ringtail
possums are common [often seen sitting on footpaths and wandering along
phone lines].
I suspect the foxes in Brisbane are outnumbered by dogs and cats by
several orders of magnitude.
I suspect the foxes living round towns make a fair living by nicking the
pet food that people leave lying around and generally scavenging rubbish
[like the crows and seagulls] and so aren't so dilligent in turkey
hunting.
LK
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