❓ A parliamentary question addresses the decline of the Mallee Fowl due to fox predation and seeks information on its endangered status and alternative fox control measures beyond baiting. The Minister's response details population assessments, current control programs, and reasons for the current vulnerable status.
AnsweredQoN 1406Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MALLEE FOWL, DECLINE IN NUMBERS DUE TO EUROPEAN RED FOX
(1) The mallee fowl has been listed as vulnerable on the threatened species list since 16 July 2000. Given the continuing decline in the mallee fowl numbers due to the predatory nature of the European red fox, will the minister outline when the mallee fowl will be listed as an endangered bird? (2) What other measures in addition to baiting does the Government intend to use to control the numbers of the European red fox? Hon TOM STEPHENS
(1) The mallee fowl has been listed as vulnerable on the threatened species list since 16 July 2000. Given the continuing decline in the mallee fowl numbers due to the predatory nature of the European red fox, will the minister outline when the mallee fowl will be listed as an endangered bird? (2) What other measures in addition to baiting does the Government intend to use to control the numbers of the European red fox? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
(2) What other measures in addition to baiting does the Government intend to use to control the numbers of the European red fox? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
(1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
(2) What other measures in addition to baiting does the Government intend to use to control the numbers of the European red fox? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
(1) A recent independent assessment of the status of the mallee fowl by Birds Australia confirms that the species meets internationally accepted criteria as a vulnerable species. Department of Land Administration scientists advise that although there is evidence that the mallee fowl is continuing to decline across parts of its current range, the rate of decline is insufficient to meet criteria for an endangered species. Monitoring taking place at several sites suggests a stable or increasing population due partly to fox baiting carried out by the department and land-holders. A reintroduction project at Francois Peron National Park has been successful. Information from outside the agricultural area suggests that there are substantial populations of the mallee fowl in some areas - for example, between Kalbarri and Shark Bay. For the species to meet international criteria as an endangered species there would have to be a continuing decline of more than 50 per cent of its population over three generations Australia-wide. (2) Western Shield, the State’s feral animal control and fauna reintroduction program, is very successful. Fox baiting is conducted on more than 3.5 million hectares of public land and farmers are baiting a large area of private land. No other available technique is as effective at controlling foxes to the necessary low levels that would allow native fauna to recover.
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