Fox control, 13.10.25 and 8.10.25

The City's response to PerthNow about fox control, 13.10.25 & 8.10.25

Question: Can I clarify what the city’s fox control measures are? I presume traps, are there other measures eg cameras, baiting, fencing?
Answer: The City contracts the services of an experienced feral animal control professional for fox control at City-managed nature reserves.
The City’s preferred fox control method is soft jaw trapping which allows captured foxes to be humanely euthanised.
On rare occasions, the feral animal control contractor may obtain WA Police permission to humanely shoot a fox but only under strict conditions.
This is a practice carried out throughout WA, not just in Cockburn. It is rarely applicable in Cockburn due to the busyness of the City’s nature reserves. Public safety is always the City’s number one priority.
         
The City does not support the use of baits due to the danger they may pose to other animals, including domestic pets.

As stated earlier, six cameras are being installed by the Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance (PSWMA) as part of its regional Fox Monitoring and Targeted Control Project. For more information on this project, please approach the PSWMA.
Camera installation and monitoring is not part of the service undertaken by the City’s feral animal control contractor.

Question: I’d be interested in hearing how people can be discouraged from taking their dogs off-lead.
Answer: Measures to encourage better behaviour in bushland reserves, including keeping dogs on leads, will be included in the Education for Sustainability Plan which is currently in development by the City. The plan is anticipated to be delivered by the end of the 25-26 financial year.

Question: Is the investigation into the City's use of FeralScan app complete and if so, will or won't it be used by the City?
Answer: The City is not intending to use Feralscan as it does not provide any capabilities that are additional to the City’s existing fox monitoring databases.
The City’s internal database contains far more information with respect to the number of fox observations recorded in the City of Cockburn, although City officers still do check Feralscan periodically to ensure that any sightings are not missed on the internal system. Community members are encouraged to report fox sightings directly to the City.

Question: Have fox monitoring cameras been installed yet at Bibra Lake? If so when, how many are there and how they’ll be used/monitored.
Answer: Six cameras are being installed by the Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance (PSWMA) as part of its regional Fox Monitoring and Targeted Control Project. For more information on this project, please approach the PSWMA.   

In addition to this monitoring project, volunteers from the Wetland Conservation Society have installed trail cameras across three City-managed conservation reserves. Volunteers provide the City with regular reports that detail the number and location of fox sightings. This information helps inform the control program.