Urban Foxes Around Brimbank Park and Tullamarine: Are There More Foxes Around or Is That Just Me?

Urban Foxes Around Brimbank Park and Tullamarine: Are There More Foxes Around or Is That Just Me?

If you live anywhere near Brimbank Park, Tullamarine, Keilor, or Sunbury, you might have spotted a few more foxes lately. Maybe it was a flash of red fur under a streetlight, a pair of glowing eyes near the bins, or footprints through your garden. You are not imagining it — there really are more foxes around Melbourne’s north-west than ever before.

Melbourne now averages 16 foxes per square kilometre, one of the highest urban fox densities in the world. That is a lot of foxes quietly moving through our suburbs while most of us are asleep.

Why Are There So Many Foxes Here?

Foxes love Melbourne for the same reasons we do. There is plenty of food, shelter, and water. The Maribyrnong River, Brimbank Park, Woodlands Historic Park, and Moonee Ponds Creek create natural corridors that allow foxes to travel safely through Tullamarine and Keilor all the way out to Sunbury and Melton.

Bins, compost, backyard pets, and outdoor food all provide easy meals. Add to that a mild climate and plenty of cover from long grass or sheds, and you have the perfect fox habitat right in the middle of suburbia.

Should We Be Worried?

Most of the time, foxes keep their distance from people. They are smart, cautious, and mostly active between 10pm and 4am. But there are a few reasons to stay aware:

• Pet safety: Small dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens are easy prey.

• Disease risks: Foxes can carry mange and intestinal parasites.

• Wildlife impact: They hunt native birds, reptiles, and possums.

If you live near Brimbank Park, Woodlands Park, or Toolern Creek, you are in a prime fox area.

How to Keep Foxes Away from Your Home

You can reduce fox activity around your property by removing food and shelter opportunities.

• Secure rubbish and compost bins.

• Do not leave pet food outside.

• Keep pets indoors at night.

• Lock up chicken coops and outdoor enclosures.

• Block off gaps under fences, sheds, or decks.

If you regularly see foxes around your home, contact your local council or a licensed pest controller. They can provide advice or coordinate safe control programs.

What To Do If You See a Fox

If you spot a fox, give it space. Do not approach or feed it. Make a bit of noise, clap, whistle, or turn on a light, to encourage it to move on. They will usually run away quickly.

If you see a sick or injured fox, call your local council or wildlife rescue organisation. Do not try to handle it yourself, as bites and scratches can cause infection.

First Aid and Safety Tips

While foxes rarely pose a direct danger to people, they can cause scratches or bites if cornered, and those wounds should always be cleaned and covered immediately. If an infection develops or the person has not had a tetanus booster recently, seek medical advice.

AB First Aid provides local, practical training in how to:

• Treat bites and scratches

• Handle allergic reactions or infections

• Stay calm and safe around animals and wildlife

We regularly deliver training across Keilor, Tullamarine, Melton, and Sunbury, helping workplaces and families stay confident outdoors.

A Local Perspective

Foxes are now part of our urban landscape. From Brimbank Park to Woodlands Historic Park, residents share the suburbs with a surprising amount of wildlife. Seeing one in your street does not mean the city is overrun — but it is a good reminder to secure pets, manage waste, and know what to do if an animal becomes aggressive or injured.

References & Resources

• Brimbank City Council – Living with Wildlife

• Parks Victoria – Brimbank Park and Woodlands Historic Park

• Department of Environment – Urban Fox Management in Victoria

What To Do Next

If you have noticed more foxes around Brimbank Park, Tullamarine, or Keilor, you are not alone. With a little awareness and preparation, we can live safely alongside Melbourne’s urban wildlife.

To make sure your workplace, school, or community group is prepared for outdoor incidents — from animal bites to allergic reactions — talk to AB First Aid about local first aid training across the north-west.

Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the wildlife that makes our region unique.