Fox management with canid pest ejectors in a non-target species rich landscape

Canid pest ejectors (CPEs) are a mechanical device that avoids bait displacement and non-target issues encountered with traditional baiting, while delivering a poison dose. A range of lure heads can be interchanged to increase the attractiveness to the target species. Canid pest ejectors have not been widely trialled in Western Australia for fox control. Here, we examined the use of CPEs for fox control (non-toxic trial) in a non-target species rich conservation reserve in Western Australian’s wheatbelt. Over 12 months, 10 CPEs were monitored using two camera traps per CPE. Five CPE lure head varieties were trialled to increase the attractiveness of the CPEs to foxes. Foxes fired CPEs on 10 occasions over the study, preferring sheep fat, fish oil and vanilla essence lure head over horse hoof and honey essence. Non-targets did not fire a CPE, only biting the lure heads on 14 occasions. Canid pest ejectors are a useful fox management tool in areas where baits are not appropriate or lures are required to entice wary foxes.