The Whroo Goldfields Conservation Management Network's annual fox bait pick up day will see 400 baits placed across the district this autumn.
The Whroo Goldfields Conservation Management Network's annual fox bait pick up day will see 400 baits placed across the district this autumn.
The Whroo Goldfields CMN is one of five CMNs in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
Whroo Goldfields CMN Co-ordinator Janice Mentiplay-Smith said Wednesday's (April 3) bait pick up day, run from Costerfield Hall, provided accredited local landholders with free fox baits and kits . The kit streamlines the process of baiting by providing the landholder with the appropriate paperwork and advice.
"The fox baiting program was one of the first programs the Whroo Goldfields CMN began five years ago, when it first formed, and complements the fox baiting programs conducted by Parks Victoria and the Puckapunyal Army Base," Ms Mentiplay Smith said.
Baiting helps reduce the number of foxes that prey upon endangered species such as the bush-stone curlew and the brush-tailed phascogale.
"Whroo Goldfields CMN members are pleased to see numbers of sugar gliders and brush-tailed phascogales increasing each year in the specially constructed nest boxes in the district, which we monitor annually," she said. "Farmers are also reporting greater lambing numbers."
Ms Mentiplay-Smith thanked everyone who took part in the day.
"Many thanks to Bob and Bill West from West Farmers Colbinabbin, who come out each year to Costerfield to distribute the baits to landholders, and to CMN member Orlando Talamo who co-ordinates landholders on the day."
If you would like to participate next year, please contact Whroo Goldfields CMN Coordinator Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 5761 1644 or janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au
.jpg "Landholders collecting fox baits")
In the photo are: L-R WGCMN members Lindsay Harris and Sue McKinnon and Bob and Bill West from West Farmers Rural Supplies, Colbinabbin.