Fox Control Program continues to drive down nest predation rates
Published on 02 December 2025
Recent fox eradication efforts in the Agnes Water and Boyne/Tannum areas has given the region’s marine turtle eggs and hatchlings a fighting chance at survival.
Forming part of the 2025 Coastal Fox Control Program that commenced last month to align with turtle nesting season, the program aims to remove foxes from coastal areas to reduce the number of turtle nests being dug up and predated each nesting season.
The program is a collaboration between Gladstone Regional Council and various land managers and organisations, including Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) and Bush Heritage Australia, aiming to deliver the targeted control of European Red Foxes in a humane and safe manner.
A fox control specialist is engaged to conduct soft-jaw foothold trapping and thermal shooting to reduce the local fox population.
Target areas are located near turtle nesting beaches in Agnes Water, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands.
IMAGE: A female marine turtle during nesting season.
Gladstone Region Councillor Simon McClintock said recent efforts within the Boyne Island and Tannum Sands area saw the eradication of six foxes, with seven removed in Agnes Water.
"This was a good result for both areas, particularly in Boyne Tannum as the foxes were also targeting vulnerable nests within the nearby QAL and BSL buffer zones, so predation on those species has been reduced as well, which is a fantastic outcome," Cr McClintock said, referring to the impact on black-breasted button-quails in the area.
“The Agnes Water program is ongoing, with further control activities planned between 9-13 February next year, but initial anecdotal reports from turtle conservation volunteers have indicated less fox activity on those beaches.”
IMAGE: Turtle nest predation observed at Agnes Water in January 2023.
Cr McClintock said that since the Coastal Fox Control Program commenced in 2021 nest predation rates have reduced by approximately 60 per cent.
“Across Agnes Water beaches, nest raiding by foxes has been reduced from one in four nests pre-control in 2021, to one-in-10 nests this past season,” he said.
“This equates to 98 saved turtle nests, or an estimated 7000 to 10,0000 hatchlings, which is an incredible achievement by the team.
“Beyond turtle hatchlings, removing foxes from coastal areas will have an even broader range of positive impacts for other things like our inland ecosystems, ground nesting birds, reptiles, shorebirds and small mammals.”
Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/wildlife or phone Council on (07) 4970 0700 for more information about the program.
Report a fox sighting