1) "In
Australia the Red Fox is an introduced species and a serious conservation problem.[3] Introduction occurred about 1850, for recreational fox hunting,"
"Feral foxes in Australia pose a serious conservation problem. According to the Australian Government, the Red Fox was introduced to Australia for hunting in 1855, but has since become wide-spread, and is considered responsible for the decline in a number of species of native animals in the "critical weight range". In a program known as Western Shield, Western Australia state government authorities conduct aerial and hand baiting on almost 35,000 km² (8.75 million acres) to control foxes and feral cats. The West Australian conservation department, CALM, estimates introduced predators are responsible for the extinction of ten native species in that state, while Western Shield targets the conservation of 16 others.
According to the Tasmanian government, Red Foxes have recently been introduced to the previously fox free island of Tasmania. An eradication program is being conducted by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water. An independent member of the Tasmanian state Parliament, Ivan Dean, has claimed that the fox introductions are a hoax, a claim the Minister for Primary Industry, David Llewellyn described as a "load of rubbish"."
Source and further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Fox
2) "They are also widespread in Australia, where they were introduced in about 1850 so that fox-hunters would have something to hunt."
Source and further information:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm
