Bait preference for remote camera trap studies of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Austin ◽  
Katherine Tuft ◽  
Daniel Ramp ◽  
Teigan Cremona ◽  
Jonathan K. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Cane Toad ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Remote Camera ◽  
Reliable Methods ◽  
Better Than

Estimating population size is crucial for managing populations of threatened species. In the Top End of northern Australia, populations of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), already affected by livestock grazing, inappropriate burning regimes and predation, have collapsed following the spread of the toxic cane toad (Rhinella marina). Cane toads are currently invading the Kimberley, where they pose a threat to quoll populations. To manage these populations, we need reliable methods for detecting and estimating quoll abundance. We deployed camera traps with lures containing tuna, peanut butter or no bait and found that baited cameras performed better than the unbaited control. Cameras with a tuna lure detected more individuals than cameras baited with peanut butter or no bait. Cameras with a tuna lure yielded more photographs per quoll than those baited with peanut butter or no bait. We identified individual quolls from unique spot patterns and found multiple photographs improved the accuracy of identification. We also found that population estimates for the sample area derived from camera trapping were consistent with those from live trapping using mark–recapture techniques.

Effectiveness of the Felixer grooming trap for the control of feral cats: a field trial in arid South Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
K. E. Moseby ◽  
H. McGregor ◽  
J. L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Live Prey ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Remote Camera ◽  
Track Counts

Abstract ContextFeral cats pose a significant threat to wildlife in Australia and internationally. Controlling feral cats can be problematic because of their tendency to hunt live prey rather than be attracted to food-based lures. The Felixer grooming trap was developed as a targeted and automated poisoning device that sprays poison onto the fur of a passing cat, relying on compulsive grooming for ingestion. AimsWe conducted a field trial to test the effectiveness of Felixers in the control of feral cats in northern South Australia where feral cats were present within a 2600-ha predator-proof fenced paddock. MethodsTwenty Felixers were set to fire across vehicle tracks and dune crossings for 6 weeks. Cat activity was recorded using track counts and grids of remote camera traps set within the Felixer Paddock and an adjacent 3700-ha Control Paddock where feral cats were not controlled. Radio-collars were placed on six cats and spatial mark–resight models were used to estimate population density before and after Felixer deployment. Key resultsNone of the 1024 non-target objects (bettongs, bilbies, birds, lizards, humans, vehicles) that passed a Felixer during the trial was fired on, confirming high target specificity. Thirty-three Felixer firings were recorded over the 6-week trial, all being triggered by feral cats. The only two radio-collared cats that triggered Felixers during the trial, died. Two other radio-collared cats appeared to avoid Felixer traps possibly as a reaction to previous catching and handling rendering them neophobic. None of the 22 individually distinguishable cats targeted by Felixers was subsequently observed on cameras, suggesting death after firing. Felixer data, activity and density estimates consistently indicated that nearly two-thirds of the cat population was killed by the Felixers during the 6-week trial. ConclusionsResults suggest that Felixers are an effective, target-specific method of controlling feral cats, at least in areas in which immigration is prevented. The firing rate of Felixers did not decline significantly over time, suggesting that a longer trial would have resulted in a higher number of kills. ImplicationsFuture studies should aim to determine the trade-off between Felixer density and the efficacy relative to reinvasion.

Paradoxical population resilience of a keystone predator to a toxic invasive species

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
J. Sean Doody ◽  
David Rhind ◽  
Simon Clulow
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Cane Toad ◽  
Keystone Predator ◽  
Individual Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Animal Communities ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Population Resilience

Abstract ContextThe invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina) has decimated populations of a keystone predator, the yellow-spotted monitor (Varanus panoptes), causing trophic cascades in Australian animal communities. Paradoxically, some V. panoptes populations coexist with toads. Demonstrating patterns in heterogeneous population-level impacts could reveal mechanisms that mediate individual effects, and provide managers with the ability to predict future impacts and assist in population recovery. AimsThe aim of the present study was to search for spatial patterns of population resilience of V. panoptes to invasive cane toads. MethodsPublished literature, unpublished data, reports and anecdotal information from trained herpetologists were used to test the emerging hypothesis that resilient predator populations are mainly coastal, whereas non-resilient populations are mostly inland. Key resultsPost-toad invasion data from 23 V. panoptes populations supported the idea that toad impacts on V. panoptes were heterogeneous; roughly half the populations could be designated as resilient (n=13) and half as non-resilient (n=10). Resilient populations had longer times since toad invasion than did non-resilient populations (39 versus 9 years respectively), supporting the idea that some recovery can occur. Non-resilient populations were exclusively inland (n=10), whereas resilient populations were split between inland (n=5) and coastal (n=8) populations. Resilient inland populations, however, were mainly confined to areas in which decades had passed since toad invasion. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that coastal V. panoptes populations fare much better than inland populations when it comes to surviving invading cane toads. ImplicationsUnambiguous recovery of monitor populations remains undemonstrated and will require long-term population monitoring before and after toad invasion.

Evaluation of risks for two native mammal species from feral cat baiting in monsoonal tropical northern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Heiniger ◽  
Skye F. Cameron ◽  
Graeme Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Dry Tropics

Context Feral cats are a significant threat to native wildlife and broad-scale control is required to reduce their impacts. Two toxic baits developed for feral cats, Curiosity® and Hisstory®, have been designed to reduce the risk of baiting to certain non-target species. These baits involve encapsulating the toxin within a hard-shelled delivery vehicle (HSDV) and placing it within a meat attractant. Native animals that chew their food more thoroughly are predicted to avoid poisoning by eating around the HSDV. This prediction has not been tested on wild native mammals in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory. Aim The aim of this research was to determine whether northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) and northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) would take feral cat baits and ingest the HSDV under natural conditions on Groote Eylandt. Methods We hand-deployed 120 non-toxic baits with a HSDV that contained a biomarker, Rhodamine B, which stains animal whiskers when ingested. The species responsible for bait removal was determined with camera traps, and HSDV ingestion was measured by evaluating Rhodamine B in whiskers removed from animals trapped after baiting. Key results During field trials, 95% of baits were removed within 5 days. Using camera-trap images, we identified the species responsible for taking baits on 65 occasions. All 65 confirmed takes were by native species, with northern quolls taking 42 baits and northern brown bandicoots taking 17. No quolls and only one bandicoot ingested the HSDV. Conclusion The use of the HSDV reduces the potential for quolls and bandicoots to ingest a toxin when they consume feral cat baits. However, high bait uptake by non-target species may reduce the efficacy of cat baiting in some areas. Implications The present study highlighted that in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics, encapsulated baits are likely to minimise poisoning risk to certain native species that would otherwise eat meat baits. However, further research may be required to evaluate risks to other non-target species. Given the threat to biodiversity from feral cats, we see it as critical to continue testing Hisstory® and Curiosity® in live-baiting trials in northern Australia.

The effects of endrin on Microtus and Peromyscus. II. Enclosed field populations

1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 885-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph D. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Experimental Population ◽  
Population Changes ◽  
Grassland Species ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Competitive Interference ◽  
Experimental Enclosure ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Significant Mortality

Effects of endrin on enclosed field populations of Microtus pennsylvanicus and Peromyscus maniculatus were investigated in two 2-acre enclosures near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After removal trapping and introduction of marked animals, population changes were assessed by live-trapping at 2-week intervals from June to September 1968. The experimental enclosure was sprayed with endrin at 8.0 oz per acre on July 14, 1968.Before endrin was applied Microtus were more abundant in the experimental enclosure than in the control enclosure. Endrin caused immediate and significant mortality in the experimental population. Microtus which survived the spray subsequently survived as well as their control counterparts. Recruits entering the experimental population during post-spray periods survived significantly better than young entering the more crowded control population. This survival, combined with active post-spray breeding, yielded a final experimental population which significantly exceeded the control.Peromyscus escaped readily from both enclosures. Losses from the experimental enclosure were significantly greater than from the control enclosure during both pre-spray and post-spray periods. The tendency for Peromyscus to leave the experimental enclosure in greater numbers is related to the paucity of suitable woodland habitat and to inferred competitive interference from the grassland species Microtus.Finally, a simple model is presented which demonstrates the several ramifications of a biocide stress on small mammal populations.

Density estimates of cane toads from native populations based on mark-recapture data

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Lampo ◽  
P Bayliss
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Cane Toad ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Native Populations

The cane toad (Bufo marinus) has received considerable attention because of its rapid spread in Australia and the potential threat it may represent to native species. Although the introduction of pathogens from native populations is now being considered to control this species, population estimates based on comparable methods that demonstrate that native populations are in fact less dense than the introduced ones are not available. Accurate population estimates are necessary to evaluate potential techniques for the control of the cane toad. We estimated population densities of cane toads over a wide range of habitat types and climate conditions by means of mark-recapture data. The capture history and location of toads each night were analysed to explore the validity of some of the assumptions of mark-recapture models. Because migrations, deaths and recruitment over three nights appear to be unimportant, populations may be legitimately regarded as closed for that period. However, cane toads seem highly sensitive to disturbance effects due to trapping andlor handling. Consequently, density estimates based on removal methods seem the most reliable because they are not sensitive to handling and trapping effects. Similarly, analyses of residuals of regressions between 1-night counts and density estimates suggested that toad nightly activity is affected by the air temperature during sampling. However, only 60% of the variation in estimated densities can be predicted by 1-night counts and air temperature. Estimates of population density over a wide range of habitats in South America were one order of magnitude lower than estimates in Australia. We speculate on the possible factors that may account for the lower densities in populations in the native range of the species.

Animal detections vary among commonly used camera trap models

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Driessen ◽  
Peter J. Jarman ◽  
Shannon Troy ◽  
Sophia Callander
Keyword(s):  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Substantial Proportion ◽  
Multiple Camera ◽  
Animal Activity ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Animal Images ◽  
A Site ◽  
Expensive Model ◽  
Better Than

Context Understanding how different camera trap models vary in their ability to detect animals is important to help identify which cameras to use to meet the objectives of a study. Aims To compare the efficacy of four camera trap models (representing two commonly used brands of camera, Reconyx and Scoutguard) to detect small- and medium-sized mammals and birds. Methods Four camera models were placed side by side, focused on a bait station, under field conditions, and the numbers of triggers and visits by mammals and birds were compared. Trigger=camera sensor is activated and records an image of an animal. Visit=one or a sequence of triggers containing one or more images of a species, with no interval between animal images greater than 5min. Key results The Scoutguard 530V camera recorded fewer than half of the triggers and visits by all animals that the Reconyx H600, Scoutguard 560K and Keepguard 680V cameras recorded. The latter three cameras recorded similar numbers of visits by mammals, but the Reconyx H600 recorded fewer triggers by medium-sized mammals than the Keepguard 680V. All camera models failed to detect a substantial proportion of the total known triggers and visits by animals, with a greater proportion of visits detected (14–88%) than triggers (5–83%). All camera models recorded images with no animals present (blanks), with Reconyx H600 recording the fewest blank images. Conclusions Camera trap models can vary in their ability to detect triggers and visits by small- and medium-sized mammals and birds. Some cheaper camera models can perform as well as or better than a more expensive model in detecting animals, but factors other than cost may need to be considered. Camera traps failed to detect a substantial proportion of known triggers and visits by animals. Number of visits is a more useful index of animal activity or abundance than number of triggers. Implications Variation in camera performance needs to be taken into consideration when designing or comparing camera surveys if multiple camera models are used, especially if the aim is to compare animal activity or abundance. If maximising the number of animal visits recorded at a site is important, then consideration should be given to using two or more cameras.

Habitat use of the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina) and native frog species in tropical Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Mayer ◽  
Gregory P. Brown ◽  
Barbara Zimmermann ◽  
Matthew J. Greenlees ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Cane Toad ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Tropical Australia ◽  
Reducing Activity

Abstract:The ecological impacts of introduced species can reveal mechanisms underlying habitat selection and behaviour. We investigated the habitat use of native frog species and the invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) in tropical northern Australia to measure overlap in habitat use, and to test if the presence of the cane toad influences frog behaviour. Native frog species and the cane toad both preferred habitats close to water and unvegetated holes. However, native frogs were found further from water (on average 19.4 m) than were toads (on average 12.6 m), and preferred areas with higher vegetation (8–50 cm) than did toads, which were more abundant in vegetation lower than 8 cm. For both types of anuran, the next neighbour was more often of the same type (89% in frogs, 52% in toads) than expected by chance (observed ratio: 75% frogs vs 25% toads), reflecting these differences in habitat use. Our counts of frog abundance increased on average 14.5% in areas from which we removed cane toads temporarily. This result suggests that cane toads inhibit the activity of native anurans either by inducing avoidance, or by reducing activity. By modifying the behaviour and spatial distribution of native taxa, invasive cane toads may curtail activities such as feeding and breeding.

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