Caching of baits by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on agricultural lands

Baiting is widely used to control the introduced fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Aus tralia. Caching of baits by foxes was observed through the use of miniature radio-transmitters. Both non-toxic and toxic (1080) baits were used to det ermine the number of baits cached, the location of these caches with respec t to original placement and the extent to which these caches are later retr ieved and consumed. These trials established that foxes cache 1080 baits. A n average of 34% of transmitter baits offered were taken and 10% were cache d. The mean distance from the bait station to the cache was 156 m, with som e baits being cached up to 800 m away. Implications of these results for cu rrent fox management strategies and the consequences of using bait take as a population index are discussed.