‘We cannot accept foxes as part of our landscape’: the plan to save Australia’s threatened wildlife

The Australian government is drafting a new national strategy to mitigate the impact of invasive European red foxes on native wildlife. The plan aims to protect endangered species from predation, which is a primary driver of Australia's high mammal extinction rate.
Why it matters
Invasive species management is vital for preventing further biodiversity loss and protecting unique ecosystems from irreversible damage.
Ecologists have spent the past 18 years learning everything they can about foxes and the Australian species they hunt, informing a new national strategy. Photograph: Dr Matthew Rees Ecologists have spent the past 18 years learning everything they can about foxes and the Australian species they hunt, informing a new national strategy. Photograph: Dr Matthew Rees Australia news ‘We cannot accept foxes as part of our landscape’: the plan to save Australia’s threatened wildlife Draft national strategy accepts the wily invasive species can’t be eradicated but outlines steps to protect native animals most at risk
Nick Visser Sat 10 Oct 2026 20.00 BST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google They dart across playgrounds on dainty paws, sneak into back yard coops to eat suburban chickens and kill more than a million native animals every day.
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