Local wildlife
Here are some tips to deal with encounters with our local wildlife, including foxes and possums.
Wildlife Victoria
This organisation provides a 24-hour, seven day a week telephone wildlife and rescue and information service for people needing help with injured, sick or orphaned wildlife.
If you find injured, sick or orphaned wildlife:
- phone: 1300 094 535
- visit: Wildlife Victoria
Foxes
Foxes prey on small mammals and other animals. A mature fox is capable of killing up to 3,000 native animals each year.
The fox can survive in dry conditions because it is predominantly nocturnal and can meet its water requirements through its prey. Foxes are not considered a threat to children or to adult cats and dogs.
Tips
- Eliminate food sources such as pet food left outdoors, and keep compost and other bins covered.
- Remove places for a fox to hide or build a den such as blackberry patches.
- Keep poultry, livestock and guinea pigs in a roofed and strong enclosure at night.
- Don-t feed native animals - they become tame and more susceptible as prey.
- Clean up fruit dropped by fruit trees.
- Never make foxes pets by feeding them.
Possums
Possums are a protected species. For many people in Boroondara, sharing the garden and roof of their house with brushtail and ringtail possums is commonplace.
These nocturnal marsupials are attracted to trees and gardens because these modified woodlands provide a similar environment to their natural habitat.
Possums are also attracted to the food sources provided by the many flowers, leaves and fruit of the native and exotic trees and plants in the home garden.
Don't feed possums - it's bad for them and will encourage more possums to visit - fighting and more damage to your property will occur.
Provide alternatives
Possums prefer to nest in tree hollows but if not available they will move into the roof of your house.
Give them an alternative by installing a nest box in your garden. Go to Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to find a list of nest box suppliers and notes on how to make your own.
Trapping possums
Possums may be trapped in order to remove them from your roof but they must be released within 50 metres of the capture site.
Phone Council on 9278 4444 to find names of licensed pest controllers or possum trap hirers, refer to the Yellow Pages (under Pest Control), or phone DSE customer service on 13 61 86 for assistance.
Possum proofing
Block even very small gaps or holes the roof which may be access points for possums; look for loose tiles or roofing iron; prune tree branches overhanging or near the roof - keep at least 1.5 metres clear.
Test commercially available possum repellents for your garden plants - supermarkets and nurseries stock many varieties.
Protect special trees by installing a metal or Perspex sheet around the trunk of the tree; or protect garden beds or plants with a floppy fence made from chicken wire supported on vertical lengths of fencing wire - this construction makes it too floppy for a possum to climb.
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