Camera trap evidence of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation attempts on adult macropods
Paul D. Meek A B C and Jason Wishart BA NSW Department of Primary Industries, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, PO Box 530, Coffs Harbour Jetty, NSW 2450, Australia.
B Invasive Animals CRC, Waite Campus, Building 1, Entry 4, Waite Road, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: paul.meek@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Pacific Conservation Biology 23(3) 302-305 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC17007
Submitted: 14 march 2017 Accepted: 23 July 2017 Published: 8 August 2017
Abstract
Camera traps provide a novel and quasicovert method of gathering information on animal behaviour that may otherwise remain undetected without sophisticated and expensive filming equipment. In a rangelands pest management project at Mt Hope in the central west of New South Wales, Australia, we recorded foxes seemingly hunting kangaroos on three occasions. While we did not record direct instances of predation, our observations provide camera trap photographic evidence suggesting that foxes will attempt to tackle mammals above the critical weight range, including large macropod species such as western grey kangaroos.
Additional keywords: behaviour, kangaroo, Mt Hope, prey, remote camera.
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