Fox carcasses prompt calls for bounty in NSW

A striking scene along a rural road in southern New South Wales shows the impact of feral foxes on the environment. A fence is covered with the carcasses of dozens of dead foxes. This has drawn attention from local politicians, including Helen Dalton, the independent MP for Murray. Dalton called the situation "gobsmacking" and is urging the government to introduce a bounty for killed foxes. Dalton believes a bounty of $20 per fox could help control their growing population. She argues this would benefit farmers and the environment. Foxes prey on young livestock, causing significant financial losses for farmers. Currently, it's estimated that there are over 1.7 million feral foxes in Australia. These animals are responsible for the deaths of around 300 million native mammals, birds, and reptiles each year. In Victoria, a bounty program recently resumed, offering $14 for each fox scalp. Dalton supports a similar program in New South Wales, suggesting it would encourage licensed shooters to help manage the pest population. She believes the bounty would offset costs for fuel and ammunition while also saving the government money. However, not everyone supports the idea of bounties. Some animal advocates label it as "barbaric and archaic." Experts argue that there are more effective and strategic ways to control fox populations. Andrew Cox, CEO of the Invasive Species Council, emphasizes the need for professional pest control methods rather than bounty programs that could be misused. Dalton, however, defends the bounty as a way to support efforts against invasive species.