Foxes, rabbits and cats were all introduced to Australia between 1849 and 1857. They have had an immense impact upon the biodiversity of the Australian landscape, through changing the physical appearance of the landscape and altering the ecological balance of endemic plants and animals. Rabbits displaced native animals in their niches, whilst also providing a source of food for the higher order predators foxes and cats.
The combination of foxes, cats and rabbits has led to the extinctions of at least 20 species of mammal. Interestingly, these animals displaced, have the same or smaller body mass of rabbits, and rabbits have filled their ecological roles. But instead of doing useful things like spread essential mychorrhizal fungi which has essential symbiotic relationships with endemic plants, enabling the plants to effectively grow and reproduce like the woylies and bettongs do, the rabbits aid in the spreading of weeds, which compete with endemic plants for resources such as nutrients, water and light.
RED FOX
(Vulpes vulpes)
EUROPEAN RABBIT
(Oryctolagus cuniculus
FERAL CAT
(Felis catus)
Buy cage traps online
Wheatbelt NRM has cage traps available for purchase by landholders to assist with feral animal control in remnant bushland areas on properties. The trip plate fox traps are suitable for trapping cats and foxes and can be bought via our online shop HERE.
Buy rabbit bait stations online
We also have rabbit bait stations for sale directly from our office or via our online shop HERE.
Factsheet: Trapping feral animals in bushland remnants
This factsheet helps explain to landholders how to control feral pests, like foxes and cats, using cage traps in native remnant bushland on their property. Download it HERE.
Anika Dent
Project Manager – Healthy Environments
P: 08 9670 3104
M: 0488 902 220