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Lilydale Neighbourhood Watch
A good attendance at this meeting for our guest speaker, Chris Emms, from the Fox Task Force, who showed film on the fox, it's profile, habits and the work the Task Force is doing to eradicate the presence of the fox in Tasmania. This was a very informative
meeting.
Identification:
Foxes range in colour from pale red to deep reddish brown or even grey on occasion. The underbelly is a contrasting white colour. Legs, particularly the lower
sections, are usually black, whilst the characteristic bushy tail is dark brown to black, and tipped with white or black hairs. Adults measure a little over a metre in length,
including the tail and weigh between 4.5 and 8.3 kg. Very young cubs closely resemble kittens and have a short, dark grey fur coat and rounded face.
Dens:
Litters of cubs are raised in dens, which are usually enlarged rabbit burrows. Stumps and hollow logs are also sometimes used. The entrance to the den can
become quite messy with bones and animal remains
scattered around.
Kills:
Animals killed by foxes are typically killed from behind, with numerous small puncture wounds around the neck and head. Birds such as poultry may only have their head and neck eaten.
Prints:
Fox prints are similar to those of a medium dog. One useful way to distinguish fox prints from dogs is the
position of the toes. The tops of the outer toes of a fox would not extend beyond a line drawn along the bottom of the inner toes, whereas on the dog's paw, the tops of the outer toes are higher than the bottom of the inner toes.
Foxes are carriers of the Hydatids disease which affect humans, working dogs and stock.
If you see a fox, or any footprints that resemble the fox's in your area, please contact the Fox Task Force
immediately on 1300 369 688.
Police Report nil as Constable Hanson was not
present.
Suspicious Incidents:
1. A 250cc yellow Honda VTR motor bike was stolen from the Legana area.
2. A large tractor battery was stolen from the Tunnel area.
3. A large amount of farm equipment, tools and a land cruiser was stolen from the Nabowla area. Value about $35,000.
A concerned community member would like to warn horse owners that her horse rug was removed from her horse whilst it was in a neighbouring paddock and she would like to express the importance of clearly naming or marking your valuable rugs to avoid this kind of thing happening to you.
Our next meeting will be on November 12th at the Lilydale Fire Station at 8 p.m.
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