How did introduced foxes affect smaller members of the kangaroo family?

The introduction of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to Australia in the 19th century has had a devastating impact on the continent's native wildlife, particularly smaller members of the kangaroo family (Macropodidae) and other small mammals.1234

These introduced predators have been a primary driver in the decline and extinction of several smaller macropod species. Because foxes are highly adaptable and thrive in diverse environments—ranging from forests and grasslands to arid deserts—they have been able to penetrate even remote areas of the continent to hunt native populations.423

The predation pressure exerted by foxes is considered a major factor in why many smaller species have either gone extinct or are currently classified as endangered. Conservation efforts have shown that where fox populations are absent or effectively controlled, native mammals tend to fare significantly better. The loss of these species represents a tragic consequence of human-introduced invasive predators, highlighting the ethical necessity of protecting vulnerable native ecosystems from such destructive imbalances.421