Evaluating Fox Presence in a Baited Landscape: A Snapshot from the Northern Jarrah Forest

The control of invasive predators, such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus), is a critical conservation strategy for protecting native wildlife in Australia. The Northern Jarrah Forest in southwestern Australia has been subject to long-term predator control through broadscale aerial and ground baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (1080). However, the effectiveness of these programs varies across regions, requiring ongoing assessment to refine management strategies. Using 360 camera traps deployed across 180 sites, we investigated the presence of foxes and feral cats in relation to baited and non-baited areas. Foxes were detected at 12% of sites, with significantly lower occurrences inside baited areas compared to non-baited areas (odds ratio = 6.5). Additionally, fox presence increased with distance from baited zones, indicating a clear spatial gradient in baiting effectiveness. In contrast, feral cats were detected at only one site, precluding further analysis of baiting effects. Our findings suggest that broadscale baiting is likely effective in suppressing fox populations in the Northern Jarrah Forest, though more intensive survey effort may be required to understand its impact on feral cats.