The feral animal control program aims to improve and protect biodiversity within the City.
Feral animals are a declared pest under state and federal legislation (Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) and associated Regulations 2013) and the City has a duty of care to manage their numbers on City land.
The program focuses on feral rabbits, foxes and cats and is carried out in a humane and ethical manner, in line with relevant legislation.
Rabbits are considered pests in Western Australia and can cause extensive environmental damage by degrading bushland, causing erosion and competing with native animals for shelter, food and habitat. Foxes and feral cats are declared pests that prey on our native animals. Foxes can also cause erosion and degradation issues.
The feral animal control program is carried out in strategically selected City managed conservation areas and occasionally other areas managed by the City.
The City does not use 1080 baiting because this is an unsuitable method of control in urban and peri-urban areas due to the risks associated with domestic animals.
Keeping your pets safe
Pet owners play an important role in the safety of their pets and the feral animal control program's effectiveness.
- Dogs should be kept on leads in conservation areas
- Cats should not be allowed to roam
- Cats and dogs should be microchipped and registered
- Pet rabbits should be immunised against Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) and ensure your rabbit's hutch has adequate insect screening. For more information on owning a pet rabbit, visit our owning a rabbit webpage
Upcoming programs
Information regarding the 2022/23 spring/summer feral animal control program will include fox control at various reserves. Start dates and reserves will be listed below as the schedule becomes available:
Fox control
24 October to 28 October and 31 October to 4 November 2022
- Butler - Kahana Park
- Mindarie - Kinsale Park
- Mindarie - North Mindarie Foreshore
31 October to 4 November and 7 November to 11 November 2022
- Gnangara - Golfview Park
- Wanneroo - Benmuni Park
- Wanneroo - Chicquita Park
7 November to 11 November and 14 November to 18 November 2022
- Neerabup – Mather Reserve and Lot 9100 adjacent
- Neerabup – Pinjar Park
- Neerabup– Wattle Park
14 November to 18 November and 21 November to 25 November 2022
- Landsdale – Hepburn Park
- Darch – Landsdale Park
- Marangaroo– Chancellor Park (Formally Marangaroo Conservation Reserve)
21 November to 25 November and 28 November to 2 December 2022
- Wanneroo – Badgerup Reserve
- Wanneroo – Mary Park
- Wanneroo– Conservation Reserve, 212 Mary St
28 November to 2 December and 5 December to 9 December 2022
- Jandabup – Damian Park
- Wanneroo – Belgrade Park
- Jandabup- Franklin Park
- Mariginiup– Lake Adams
29 November to 2 December, 5 December to 9 December and 12 to 13 December 2022
- Wanneroo - Edgar Griffiths Park
5 December to 9 December and 12 December to 16 December 2022
- Carabooda - Bernard Park
- Mindarie - South Mindarie Foreshore
12 December to 16 December and 19 to 23 December 2022
- Ashby - Conti Park
- Koondoola - Koondoola Reserve
- Tapping - Ashley Park
19 December to 23 December 2022
- Marangaroo - Marangaroo Golf Course
Methods of Control
Fox Control
The City does not use 1080 bait to control foxes.
City contracted animal pest management specialists use soft foot hold traps to control foxes. These traps are designed to minimise the risk of injury to any animal caught in the trap. Traps are regularly checked and strategically placed within an area to minimise risk to humans and other non-target species, including domestic dogs.
The majority of fox control is undertaken in summer and autumn. Warning signs are installed by the City and contractor at entry points to reserves where trapping is taking place. It is important to keep dogs on leads in reserves and cats at home during these times.
Rabbit control
The City does not use 1080 bait to control rabbits.
Calicivirus or Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) only affects rabbits and does not affect any other species including native animals, dogs and cats. Controlled release of the virus, generally in late spring and autumn, can significantly reduce rabbit numbers.
However, rabbit deaths can also occur outside control program timeframes as RHDV remains in the natural environment and outbreaks may occur, unrelated to any planned virus release.
The spread of the virus is dependent on the abundance of insects, particularly flies, weather conditions and time of day.
Rabbit owners should ensure their pet rabbits are immunised against RHDV, and that hutches are insect resistant. (RSPCA and Australian Veterinary Association recommendations.)
Pindone may be strategically used in selected reserves or sections of reserves when the risk to non-target species can be minimised. Reserves are surveyed prior to Pindone oats being laid and monitored throughout the duration of the program. Entries to the reserves will be signposted if Pindone is in use.
Cage trapping may also be strategically used in selected reserves as an additional method to remove rabbits. Traps are regularly checked and strategically placed within an area to minimise risk to other non-target species.