Living Here

Successful Coastal Fox Control Program gives turtles a fighting chance

The Gladstone Region Coastal Fox Control Program has resumed to coincide with turtle nesting season.

The purpose of the program is to mitigate risks to marine turtles and other native coastal wildlife.

Our region is home to many nesting turtles, including the endangered loggerhead turtle, however, they are threatened by European red foxes who dig up turtle nests and prey on hatchlings as they emerge from the nest on local beaches.

The program will engage a fox control specialist to conduct soft-jaw foothold trapping and thermal shooting to reduce the local fox population in a humane and safe manner.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the program will run on various dates between late November to mid-February 2025, focussing on areas near Agnes Water and Tannum Sands.

“The Program has had proven success at these locations,” Councillor Burnett said.

“Since Council began fox control in 2021, nest predation has decreased by 40 per cent in Agnes Water and 47 per cent in Boyne-Tannum.

“Removing foxes from coastal areas will have further positive impacts for inland ecosystems, ground nesting birds, reptiles, shorebirds and small mammals.”

Cr Burnett added that areas involved in the program will be clearly signed by warning signs placed at all entrances and some tracks and reserves will be closed during the control activity.

“People and pets should not enter closed areas and pets need to be contained to prevent any impact from trapping activities,” he said.

“The community can also report any evidence of fox activity and sightings in coastal regions and turtle nest predation. In addition to this, private properties in the Gladstone Region within 5km of coastline can also report a fox den.”

Program activities will occur in bushland coastal reserves along Springs Road and Captain Cook Drive in Agnes Water from Monday 25 November to Friday 29 November, and 10-14 February 2025.

Control will also be completed along Lilley’s Beach and the Wild Cattle Inlet in the Tannum Sands areas on 5-6 February 2025.

Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/wildlife or phone Council on 4970 0700 for more information.

Download this media release (PDF)