A SPATE of fox sightings in central Mount Gambier has prompted a warning from the region’s peak environmental management body to keep chickens and small pets in fox-proof enclosures at night.
Reports of “decapitated chickens” began surfacing on social media a fortnight ago, with a number of sightings in residential areas since.
Business owner Jo Stafford said five chickens were killed at her Commercial Street property two weeks ago.
“We lost five chickens and in the same night our neighbour lost a few of her chickens,” Ms Stafford said.
“We assume it was a fox – it ate the heads and necks of each chicken and left the rest.”
Natural Resources South East confirmed fox numbers were “relatively high” in the city and surrounding district.
“Foxes regularly inhabit urban areas and some studies show that urban fox populations can sometimes be higher than rural populations,” Lower South East district manager Ross Anderson said.
“Anecdotally we understand fox numbers are relatively high at the moment.”
He said while staff worked with councils and landholders to ensure pest animals were controlled effectively, it was up to landholders to protect pets and livestock.
“Landholders are responsible for the satisfactory control of foxes on their properties under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004,” Mr Anderson said.
“In urban areas we recommend people keep small pets and poultry in an enclosure at night to keep them safe – ideally an enclosure with a roof and mesh on the ground to prevent foxes from digging their way in.”
As for rural landowners, Mr Anderson said there were a few tried-and-tested fox control methods.
“Undertaking fox control is an essential part of farming and as a declared pest animal landholders are required to control foxes on their properties,” he said.
“Many landholders have integrated programs which include baiting, follow-up shooting and den fumigation.
“Farmers should let their neighbours know when they are baiting and organise a coordinated approach for best results.”
