Foxes were deliberately introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s, especially around the 1850s, for recreational hunting purposes. Wealthy settlers, longing for the traditional English sport of fox hunting, brought red foxes from Europe and released them in various regions, particularly around Melbourne in Victoria. The foxes quickly established populations in the wild after their releases, aided by the abundant rabbit population, which provided a plentiful food source. Within about 20 years, fox populations expanded significantly, and by the early 1900s, they had spread across much of southern Australia. Despite initial introductions for sport, foxes became a major pest due to their predation on native wildlife and livestock, leading to their classification as a pest species by authorities over time.
