The immediate impact of 1080 aerial baiting to control wild dogs on a spotted-tailed quoll population

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Peter Watson
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Control Association ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Track Counts

In eastern Australia, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is the species thought to be most likely at risk from aerial baiting with compound 1080 to control wild dogs (Canis lupus familiaris and C. l. dingo). Although it is known that quolls occasionally die of 1080 poisoning, the broader impact on populations remains unresolved. We therefore assessed the impact of a regular aerial baiting campaign on a population of spotted-tailed quolls. Baiting with 1080 meat baits was conducted by the local Wild Dog Control Association and followed the same procedure as in previous years with the exception that the biomarker, rhodamine B, was added to the baits. Prior to the baiting, 36 quolls were trapped and fitted with mortality radio-collars; 31 of these collars were still functional at the time of baiting. Quolls were monitored from a helicopter and on the ground until retrapped 5–9 weeks after baiting. Transmitters were then removed and a sample of vibrissae was taken for rhodamine B analysis. Carcasses found were analysed for 1080. Predator numbers were assessed before and after baiting using track pads across trails. Among the initial 36 radio-collared quolls, nine mortalities were recorded during the course of the study (seven after baiting). Only one of the nine deaths could be directly attributed to 1080 poisoning. In addition, vibrissae from five of the 35 individuals sampled after baiting were marked with rhodamine B, indicating that these individuals had consumed bait, and survived. Consequently, mortality attributable to this particular aerial baiting campaign was low, apparently because few quolls ate bait and most of those that did survived. Track counts for predators indicated a significant decrease in dog and fox numbers after baiting. Cat activity remained unchanged and the number of quoll tracks increased.

Movements and habitat selection by wild dogs in eastern Victoria

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Robley ◽  
Andrew Gormley ◽  
David M. Forsyth ◽  
Alan N. Wilton ◽  
Danielle Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

To investigate movements and habitat selection by wild dogs we attached satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) units to nine wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and Canis lupus familiaris) captured in eastern Victoria in summer 2007. Units estimated locations at 30-min intervals for the first six months and then at 480-min intervals for six more months. DNA testing revealed all these wild dogs to be related. Home ranges of males were almost three times larger than those of females (males: 124.3 km2 ± 56.3, n = 4; females: 45.2 km2 ± 17.3, n = 5) and both sexes preferred subalpine grassland, shrub or woodland at the landscape and home-range scales. Wild dogs were recorded more often than expected within 25 m of roads and less often than expected within 25 m of watercourses. Wild dogs displayed higher-velocity movements with shallow turning angles (generally forwards) that connected spatial and temporal clusters comprising slower-velocity, shorter, and sharper turning movements. One wild dog travelled 230 km in 9 days before returning to its home range and another travelled 105 km in 87 days. The home-range sizes reported in this study are much larger than previously reported in south-eastern Australia. This finding, together with previous studies, suggests that the spatial scale at which wild dog management occurs needs to be reconsidered.

Potential impact of aerial baiting for wild dogs on a population of spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus)

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Murray ◽  
Robert N. Poore
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Wild Dogs

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a threatened marsupial that inhabits forests in eastern Australia. In many of these forests the species is sympatric with populations of wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, Canis familiaris and hybrids of the two), which are subject to poison-baiting programs. Many of these programs involve dropping meat baits injected with 6 mg of 1080 from helicopters. To date, the effect of this method on populations of spotted-tailed quolls has not been quantified. We carried out a simulated aerial baiting program using meat baits injected with a non-toxic baitmarker, Rhodamine B, which is laid down in the vibrissae of mammals ingesting baits. Of the 16 spotted-tailed quolls subsequently captured, 10 had Rhodamine B in their vibrissae. The potential impact that this level of bait uptake might have on a population of quolls is discussed.

Aerial baiting for wild dogs has no observable impact on spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) in a rainshadow woodland

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Claridge ◽  
Douglas J. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Wild Dogs

The short-term impact of 1080 aerial baiting for wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, Canis lupus familiaris and hybrids of the two) on spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) was investigated at a rainshadow woodland site in southern New South Wales, Australia. Sixteen quolls were trapped and fitted with radio-transmitters containing mortality sensors. Three feral cats were also opportunistically trapped and radio-collared. One week after trapping ceased, meat baits nominally containing 6 mg of 1080 poison and 50 mg of the biomarker rhodamine B were deployed aerially over a 10-km transect across the study area. Following bait deployment, collared quolls and cats were monitored daily over four weeks for evidence of mortality. During this time, one quoll and two cats died. The quoll did not die from 1080 but both cats showed clear signs of poisoning. Whisker samples were obtained from trapped quolls 5–8 weeks after baiting to determine whether they had been exposed to baits. Of the 15 remaining collared quolls, 12 were retrapped. Four of these tested positive for rhodamine B. Three individuals originally collared were not retrapped but confirmed alive at least seven weeks after bait deployment. A further six non-collared quolls were also trapped, with two of these positive for rhodamine B. Of the 19 quolls from which whisker samples were tested for rhodamine B then, 13 (68%) were negative and six (32%) were positive. Aerial baiting had no observable impact on the local radio-collared quoll population, a finding consistent with results from a similar study recently conducted in northern New South Wales.

scholarly journals Beliefs and Attitudes of Residents in Queensland, Australia, about Managing Dog and Cat Impacts on Native Wildlife

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1637
Author(s):  
Jennifer Carter ◽  
Mandy B. A. Paterson ◽  
John M. Morton ◽  
Francisco Gelves-Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Past Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Gender Expectations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Companion Species ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

Many humans have created close relationships with wildlife and companion species. Notwithstanding that companion species were at some point themselves wild, some wild (i.e., feral) and domesticated (owned) dogs and cats now have significant impacts on wildlife. Many strategies exist to control the impact of dogs and cats on wildlife, but the successful implementation of management initiatives is tied to public opinions and the degree of acceptability of these measures. This paper reports the findings of a survey assessing the beliefs of residents in Queensland, Australia, about dog and cat impacts on wildlife, and their attitudes towards various strategies and options for controlling wild (i.e., feral) and domesticated (owned) dogs and cats. The responses of 590 participants were analysed. Our respondents collectively grouped strategies into those that directly cause wild dog and cat deaths and those that allow wild dogs and cats to live a ‘natural’ life, which is a variation on past research where respondents grouped strategies into lethal and non-lethal methods. Community acceptability of strategies that directly cause wild dog and cat deaths (each assessed using five-category Likert scores) was lower amongst females and respondents aged 34 years or less. Gender expectations in most places and cultures still predominately suggest that women are more ‘caring’, supportive of animal welfare, and perhaps cognizant that wild dogs and cats are also sentient creatures and appreciate the problematic tension between controlling wild and companion species. Age-related differences may reflect the changing social values of communities at different points in time. There was high support for regulations that enforce responsible pet ownership but not for the importance of pet-free suburbs, which the majority of respondents considered unimportant. These important variations in beliefs and attitudes require careful management within each community for the success of any program to control wild dogs or cats.

Diet analysis of mammals, raptors and reptiles in a complex predator assemblage in the Blue Mountains, eastern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack H. Pascoe ◽  
Robert C. Mulley ◽  
Ricky Spencer ◽  
Rosalie Chapple
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Diet Overlap ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Critical Weight ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
High Level ◽  
Wild Dogs

South-east Australia has a complex predator assemblage which has historically been vulnerable to introduced species. This is the first Australian field study to analyse samples from members of the families Canidae, Dasyuridae, Strigidae, and Varanidae to describe the diet and diet overlap between these predators. Samples were collected opportunistically and hair and bone analysis was used to identify the content of samples. Wild dogs (Canis lupus) and lace monitors (Varanus varius) predominantly consumed large mammalian prey, which contributed to the high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.79) between these two species. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) also had a high level of diet overlap (Ojk = 0.76), a result of their diets containing a high proportion of medium-sized mammals. The diet of wild dogs and foxes showed moderate overlap (Ojk = 0.59), and foxes were more likely to prey on species within the critical weight range than on macropods, which made up a high proportion of the diet of wild dogs. These data confirm that significant diet overlap can occur between predators from different taxonomic classes and further investigation of potential competition will be important to ongoing management.

Hybridisation between dingoes and domestic dogs: a comment on Jones (2009)

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Glen
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Strong Argument ◽  
Feral Dogs ◽  
Relative Conservation ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs

The recent review by Jones (2009) presents a strong argument that Victoria’s wild dog population cannot reliably be categorised into dingoes (Canis lupus dingo), feral dogs (C. l. familiaris) and hybrids. This presents a problem in the light of the dingo’s recent listing as a threatened species in that state. Wildlife managers must come to grips with questions regarding the relative conservation value of ‘dingoes’ with varying degrees of domestic dog ancestry. This will require improved knowledge of the ecological function of wild dogs, as well as extensive research into public attitudes towards the animals.

Wild dog/dingo conservation, control and management: The impact beyond the paddock

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Positive Communication ◽  
Livestock Predation ◽  
Proactive Management ◽  
The People ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Control And Management ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The impact of predation by dingoes/wild dogs on livestock creates extreme amounts of stress, angst and anger within rural communities. How do we return to a well-managed landscape and once again have positive communication between stakeholders? Wild dogs attack livestock. Dingoes attack livestock. This is the reality. Livestock predation has impacts that extend far beyond the animals that are attacked. It affects people. The basic tools for controlling dingoes are simple, traps, guns, fences and poison. Dingo control fails when these tools are not applied correctly, or one tool is relied on and overused. Proactive management is the only way to avoid generational problems. All stakeholders must invest in the issue. To me, this dilemma is not about the dingoes. It’s not just about the sheep and cattle, it’s about the people and our communities.

scholarly journals Wild dog control impacts on calf wastage in extensive beef cattle enterprises

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee R. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Far North ◽  
South Central ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Beef Producers ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
In Pregnancy

Wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids) are routinely controlled to protect beef cattle from predation yet beef producers are sometimes ambivalent as to whether wild dogs are a significant problem or not. This paper reports the loss of calves between birth and weaning in pregnancy-tested herds located on two beef cattle properties in south-central and far north Queensland for up to 4 consecutive years. Comparisons of lactation failures (identified when dams that previously tested pregnant were found non-lactating at weaning) were made between adjoining test herds grazed in places with or without annual (or twice annual) wild dog poison baiting programs. No correlation between wild dog relative abundance and lactation failures was apparent. Calf loss was frequently higher (three in 7 site-years, 11–32%) in baited areas than in non-baited areas (9% in 1 of 7 site-years). Predation loss of calves (in either area) only occurred in seasons of below-average rainfall, but was not related to herd nutrition. These data suggest that controlling wild dogs to protect calves on extensive beef cattle enterprises is unnecessary in most years because wild dogs do not routinely prey on calves. In those seasons when wild dog predation might occur, baiting can be counter-productive. Baiting appears to produce perturbations that change the way surviving or re-colonising wild dog populations select and handle prey and/or how they interact with livestock.

scholarly journals Free-ranging dogs understand human intentions and adjust their behavioral responses accordingly

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debottam Bhattacharjee ◽  
Shubhra Sau ◽  
Anindita Bhadra
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Food Provisioning ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Social Communicative ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTDomestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are remarkably sensitive and responsive while interacting with humans. Pet dogs are known to have social skills and abilities to display situation-specific responses, but there is lack of information regarding free-ranging dogs which constitute majority of the world’s dog population. Free-ranging dogs found in most of the developing countries interact constantly with familiar and unfamiliar humans receiving both positive and negative behavior. Thus, understanding human intentions and subsequent behavioral adjustments are crucial for dogs that share habitats with humans. Here we subjected free-ranging dogs to different human social communicative cues (friendly and threatening – low and high), followed by a food provisioning phase and tested their responsiveness. Dogs exhibited higher proximity seeking behavior as a reaction to friendly gesture whereas, they were prompted to maintain distance depending on the impact of the threatening cues. Interestingly, only the high-impact threatening showed to have a persistent effect which also remained during the subsequent food provisioning phase. An elevated approach in the food provisioning phase elicited the dependency of free-ranging dogs on humans for sustenance. Our findings suggest that free-ranging dogs demonstrate behavioral plasticity on interacting with humans; which provides significant insights into the establishment of the dog-human relationship on streets.

scholarly journals Aerial baiting and wild dog mortality in south-eastern Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ballard ◽  
P. J. S. Fleming ◽  
P. D. Meek ◽  
S. Doak
Keyword(s):  
South Eastern ◽  
Mesic Forest ◽  
Veterinary Medicines ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lethal Management ◽  
Vertebrate Pests ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Wild Dogs ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Abstract ContextWild dogs, including dingoes and dingo cross-breeds, are vertebrate pests when they cause financial losses and emotional costs by harming livestock or pets, threaten human safety or endanger native fauna. Tools for lethal management of these animals currently include aerial baiting with poisoned baits. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, aerial baiting was previously permitted at a rate of 40 baits km−1 but a maximum rate of 10 baits km−1 was subsequently prescribed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The efficacy of these baiting rates has not been quantified in eastern Australia, undermining the value of the policy and rendering adaptive management efforts difficult, at best. AimTo quantify the mortality rate of wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at historic and currently approved rates, i.e. 40 baits per kilometre and 10 baits per kilometre, respectively. MethodsWild dog mortality rates were measured at sites in mesic north-eastern NSW, where aerial baiting was applied to control wild dogs and contrasted with sites and individuals where no baiting was undertaken. In total, 132 wild dogs were trapped and fitted with GPS-VHF telemetry collars before annual aerial baiting programs. Collars were used to locate animals after aerial baiting and to determine the fates of individuals. Key results90.6% of collared wild dogs exposed to aerial baiting at 40 baits km−1 died, whereas only 55.3% of those exposed to 10 baits km−1 died (Welsh’s t=4.478, P=0.004, v=6.95). All wild dogs that were not exposed to toxic baits survived during the same periods. ConclusionManagers using aerial baiting to maximise wild dog mortality in mesic south-eastern Australia should use 40 baits km−1 rather than 10 baits km−1. ImplicationsWild dog population reduction for mitigation of livestock and faunal predation requires the application of efficacious control. The currently prescribed maximum aerial baiting rate of 10 baits km−1 is inadequate for controlling wild dog populations in mesic forest environments in NSW.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document