Barry Mountains predator control

Baiting in the Barry Mountains aims to reduce fox predation and help conserve the Long-footed Potoroo, which is listed as Endangered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Long-footed Potoroos are more likely to be present in locations where fox density is lower.

Foxes are highly efficient predators of small to medium size animals and are a significant risk to native birds, reptiles and mammals. Foxes are one of the main reasons for the decline and extinction of many small-medium sized mammal species in Australia.

It is important to control foxes at this time of year before the young become independent and establish their own territory.

Works will occur over during December and January to maximise the time available for fox control outside of the Victorian hound hunting season.

Fox baiting will occur in the Barry Mountains:

From 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025: Buffalo River State Forest, Buckland State Forest and Dandongadale State Forest, Alpine National Park and Tea Tree Range State Forest (Humffray State Forest)

Until June 2025: Alpine National Park and Tea Tree Range State Forest (Humffray State Forest).

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) bait is registered and approved to control foxes, rabbits, feral pigs and other pest animals in Victoria.

Both 1080 and PAPP baits are used for the Barry Mountains fox control program. Risk assessments are completed to determine the most appropriate and effective bait and any potential impacts.

Baiting methods are designed to minimise the impact on native animals and other non-target species. A risk assessment guides the timing, location, bait placement and type of bait used to reduce any risks.

Fox baits are buried to a specified depth to reduce the risk to native animals, which are generally unlikely to uncover buried baits.

Dog owners should exercise care when in areas where baiting is being carried out.

Look for “1080 and/or PAPP Warning Poison” signs at all entry points to baited tracks including named and unnamed tracks. When entering baited areas, muzzle and/or restrain your domestic animals, to prevent them from accessing 1080 or PAPP poison baits or carcasses.

1080 and PAPP fox baits are buried at least 10cm deep, in specially constructed bait stations, which reduces the risk to domestic animals. Fox-strength baits will be used, which are unlikely to affect dogs larger than the 5-7 kg weight range of a fox.

The new baiting area expands on the Barry Mountains fox control program, which has been ongoing since 2004. This expanded area now covers a larger area of Long-footed Potoroo habitat. Evidence of Potoroo abundance and distribution has been verified through remote camera monitoring work.

Fresh baits are recovered or replaced within a seven-day period. Shelf stable manufactured baits are recovered or replaced within a month.

This complies with the Directions for the Use of 1080 and PAPP Pest Animal Bait Products in Victoria.

A risk management strategy has been developed to manage and minimise the risks of potential harm to the environment, human health and non-target species including wildlife, domestic animals and stock.

The strategy includes notifications to neighbours, landholders, and stakeholders within the vicinity of the baited area and deployment of dated 1080 and/or PAPP Warning Poison signs at track entrances within the baited area.

Bait take will be monitored for the entirety of the fox baiting program.

Camera monitoring of Long-footed Potoroos and other native species being protected by the fox control program will be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the fox baiting.

Results of future camera monitoring will be compared with camera monitoring that has been undertaken since 2020 to determine the presence and abundance of Long-footed Potoroo in the Barry Mountains. These surveys provide an important benchmark of Long-footed Potoroo and fox abundance and distribution prior to the expanded fox baiting program. The monitoring has shown that there has been an increase in Long-footed Potoroo abundance in the landscape.

This program is delivered under the Victorian Government's Protecting Biodiversity Program.

The program has previously been delivered under the Victorian Government’s Weeds and Pests on Public Land Program and the Bushfire Biodiversity Response and Recovery Program, with support from the Australian Government’s Regional Fund for Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery.