The effectiveness of short‐term fox control in protecting a seasonally vulnerable species, the Eastern Long‐necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

Summary Reducing predation by introduced predators on seasonally vulnerable prey is of interest to biodiversity and game managers around the world. In Australia, the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a significant predator of freshwater turtle nests, destroying up to 93% of nests. We used a nonrandomized intervention study to assess the effectiveness of a short-term (3-week) but broad-scale baiting operation in reducing the level of nest predation on artificial turtle nests around a complex lake system during a major flooding event in north-western Victoria. Estimates of fox occupancy declined from 0.58 (0.44–0.70 95% CI) to 0.34 (0.21–0.46 95% CI) following fox control. Modelling of nest-survival rates indicated there was no significant change in survival rates. Effective short-term predator control to protect seasonally vulnerable prey is desirable and achievable. Knowledge of underlying predator density, predator–bait encounter and consumption rates, and the optimal duration of short-term control is needed to reduce the risk to prey.