The southern Australian state of Tasmania is bracing itself for a dangerous - and furry - invasion.
State officials plan to spend up to AUD$50 million to eradicate the European red fox, according to the BBC.
The foxes were initially introduced by European settlers and are thought to have been largely responsible for the extinction of some 23 native species across Australia.
Though some think that the Tasmanian government is over-reacting to fears of the extinction of native rodents and ground-nesting birds, a special taskforce claims that fox remains, droppings and footprints have all been sighted on the 'Apple Isle'.
The taskforce laid 10,000 kangaroo meat belts laced with poison around the state last year, with 50,000 to be planted this year.
Though no poisoned fox carcasses have been found, this is no big surprise, according to the head of the taskforce.
Talking to the New Zealand Herald, Alan Johnson said: "They go into their den or a hollow log to die. We don't expect to find oodles of dead foxes lying around all over the place."
