scholarly journals First in, first served: uptake of 1080 poison fox baits in south-west Western Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon J. Dundas ◽  
Peter J. Adams ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Remote Cameras ◽  
South West ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
High Level ◽  
Number Of Passes

Context In Western Australia, baits containing 1080 poison are widely used to control the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) for fauna conservation. Despite long-term (15–17 years) baiting programs, bait uptake by target and non-target species is largely unknown, but affects baiting efficacy. Aims We examined bait uptake of 1080-poisoned fox baits laid according to current practice at seven riparian sites in the northern jarrah forest (of south-west Western Australia). There, intensive baiting regimes have been implemented for the protection of quokka (Setonix brachyurus) populations. Methods Over 9 months, 299 Probait® baits were monitored regularly to determine their persistence, and, at 142 of these, Reconyx HC500 remote cameras were used to identify the species taking baits. To compare bait uptake with species presence at these sites, we calculated an activity index for each species from the number of passes of animals in front of the cameras. Key results The species taking baits was identified for 100 of the baits monitored with cameras, and, because of multiple species taking baits, 130 bait take incidents were recorded in total. The fate of 40 of the baits was not discernible and two baits were not removed. In all, 99% of baits monitored by cameras were taken by non-target species and quokkas took 48% of them. The majority of baits (62% of the total 299 monitored) were taken before or on the first night of deployment, and 95% of baits had been taken within 7 days. With the exception of feral pigs, which took more baits than predicted from their activity index at these sites, baits were taken in proportion to the activity index of species. Foxes were present at four of the seven sites, but only one fox was observed taking a bait. Conclusions The high level of uptake of baits by non-target animals reflects their diversity and abundance at these sites, but also significantly reduces the availability of baits to control foxes. Implications Strategies to reduce non-target bait uptake and increase bait availability for foxes are required.

Evaluation of three relative abundance indices for assessing dingo populations

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Allen ◽  
R Engeman ◽  
H Krupa
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
Abundance Indices ◽  
High Level ◽  
Level Of Agreement

Three methods of assessing relative abundance of wild canids were evaluated on a population of dingoes, Canis lupus dingo (Corbett), on a cattle station in south-westem Queensland. The tested indices relied on measurements of activity based on spoor. Two of the techniques attracted the target species to tracking stations through the use of a novel (fatty acid scent) or food-based (buried meat) attractant. The third index (activity) measured the number of dingo tracks crossing tracking stations placed at 1-km intervals along a road transect. All three indices had a high level of agreement for detecting differences in relative abundance, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.85. When the stations were analysed in 1-km segments, the activity index proved the most sensitive, producing proportionally more positive responses than either of the other two indices irrespective of whether the tracking stations were assessed at 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-day intervals. Inconsistencies between indices existed, with the derived abundance indices not showing the anticipated reduction following population reduction. The effect of season and the interaction between dingo activity and index methodology are discussed.

Effect of the fungicide phosphite on pollen fertility of perennial species of the Eucalyptus marginata forest and northern sandplains of Western Australia.

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 769 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Pollen Fertility ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
The South ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
South West ◽  
Run Off

The fungicide phosphite was shown to affect pollen fertility in a range of perennial species from the south-west of Western Australia. Phosphite was applied to perennial species of the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest by spraying to run-off with 2.5, 5 and 10 g L–1 phosphite in either autumn or spring. Pollen fertility of Dryandra sessilis was reduced by phosphite for up to 35 and 60 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Trymalium ledifolium pollen fertility was reduced by phosphite 38 and 61 weeks after spraying in spring or autumn, respectively. Lasiopetalum floribundum was less affected with a reduction in pollen fertility being observed for up to 3 weeks after spraying in spring. Other perennial understorey species of the jarrah forest, Adenanthos barbiger, Boronia cymosa, Hovea elliptica and Phyllanthus calycinus were also shown to have reduced pollen fertility after treatment in autumn or spring, as did Comesperma calymega, Eremaea astrocarpa and Hibbertia hypericoides, species of the northern sandplains when sprayed in summer.

Long-term movement patterns of continental shelf and inner gulf snapper (Pagrus auratus, Sparidae) from tagging in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 913 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Moran ◽  
C. Burton ◽  
J. Jenke
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Release Point ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Movement Characteristics ◽  
Pagrus Auratus ◽  
Low Levels

Snapper is an important commercial and recreational target species in the Shark Bay region of Western Australia. The present study aimed to define the range of movements of snapper by tagging in the two inner gulfs of Shark Bay and on oceanic fishing grounds adjacent to the Bay. Recaptures by fishers fell to low levels within 4 years after tagging, but small numbers of recaptures were still being made up to 15 years after release. There was no mixing of snapper populations between the two inner gulfs nor was there any movement between the ocean and the inner bay. This supports genetic and other evidence for the existence of several separate stocks in the region. Snapper of the ocean stock were mostly recaptured within 20 km of their release point, although a few fish moved long distances of up to 370 km southwards along the continental shelf. The tagged snapper tended to become more dispersed along the shelf with increasing years at liberty. Yet, an empirical model indicated that of the snapper recruiting to the main oceanic fishing grounds near Koks Island, which have a mean life expectancy in the fishery of 1.5 years, 76% would remain within 93 km (50 nautical miles), even after 6 years. The distinct stocks and their movement characteristics are significant for snapper fishery management in the Shark Bay region.

The status of non-volant mammals along a rainfall gradient in the south-west Kimberley, Western Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Start ◽  
A. A. Burbidge ◽  
M. C. McDowell ◽  
N. L. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Rainfall Gradient ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
South West ◽  
The Status ◽  
High Level

To assess the current status of mammals in relation to mean annual rainfall and to improve knowledge of the original mammalian assemblages in tropical Western Australia, extant terrestrial mammals and subfossil mammalian remains were sought along a rainfall gradient in two parallel ranges in the Kimberley, Western Australia. As expected, extant mammal species richness decreased with decreasing rainfall. Data from other studies in higher-rainfall areas complemented this conclusion and a parallel decline in trap success implied an overall decline in abundance, although numbers of two rodents (Rattus tunneyi and Zyzomys argurus) were highly variable. Small rodents were rare. Subfossil deposits were biased by accumulation processes, with most attributable to tytonid owls. They largely consisted of rodent and, to a lesser extent, small dasyurid bones and there was a high level of consistency in the proportional composition of many common species across the rainfall gradient. Most deposits appear to predate the introduction of stock in the 1880s and some may be much older. All species persist in the study area except two Notomys spp. and three Pseudomys spp. Both the Notomys and one Pseudomys are apparently undescribed, extinct species. However, there were marked ratio differences between subfossil and modern assemblages. Although specimens of species larger than those taken by tytonid owls were scarce, their occurrences were broadly consistent with the modern understanding of distributions.

Tell-tale testicles: observations of morphological abnormalities in small, spatially restricted mainland quokka (Setonix brachyurus) populations

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Shannon J. Dundas
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Jarrah Forest ◽  
Morphological Abnormalities ◽  
South West ◽  
Morphological Anomalies ◽  
Future Management

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus) exists in spatially restricted populations in the northern jarrah forest in south-west Western Australia. Observations were made of adult male quokkas exhibiting morphological anomalies (cryptorchidism and micropthalmia) that may be indicative of inbreeding within these populations. Despite the presence of males with abnormalities that could potentially affect their fertility, most females captured were carrying a pouch young or feeding a joey at foot. Field researchers and managers should routinely report abnormalities seen in wild captured animals. Reduced genetic diversity of quokka populations in the northern jarrah forest may not be the key threatening process and preservation of habitat may be more important to ensure persistence of populations. Future management of this species in the northern jarrah forest should include up-to-date occurrence mapping across their range using targeted camera trap surveys and management of habitat to improve connectivity between populations.

Long-term recovery from fire by a population of honey possums (Tarsipes rostratus) in the extreme south-west of Western Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. Bradshaw ◽  
F. J. Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
South West ◽  
Catch Rates ◽  
The Impact

The impact of two fires, six years apart, on the long-term recovery of a population of honey possums (Tarsipes rostratus) in the extreme south-west of Western Australia was documented over a 23-year period. Recovery was relatively rapid after the first fire, with catch rates reaching 78% of precatch levels within six years, but was much slower following the second fire in April 1999. Regression analysis estimates that full recovery to prefire catch rates and densities would take 25.6 years. The spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi (dieback) throughout the study area has severely impacted Banksia ilicifolia trees, which are the honey possums’ primary food source, and the impact has been greater in the burnt than unburnt areas. Analysis of catch-per-unit-effort and density of individual honey possums over the whole 29-year period of the study shows that numbers have not declined in the long-unburnt southern area of the study site, despite the spread of dieback and loss of banksia trees. The data are discussed in relation to the impact of fire on other vertebrate species that have specific habitat requirements. Given predictions of increasing fire frequencies due to climate change and an increased utilisation of prescribed burning to protect human life and property, it is imperative that management of areas harbouring honey possums be protected from too-frequent fire if this iconic species is to persist.

Assessment of risks to non-target species from an encapsulated toxin in a bait proposed for control of feral cats

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. de Tores ◽  
Duncan R. Sutherland ◽  
Judy R. Clarke ◽  
Robert F. Hill ◽  
Sean W. Garretson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
South West

Context The CURIOSITY® bait is the name coined for a variation of the existing sausage-style cat bait, ERADICAT®. The latter is used under experimental permit in Western Australia for research associated with cat control. The CURIOSITY bait differs from ERADICAT by providing a pH-buffered (less acidic) medium and has been proposed to reduce the risk to non-target species by encapsulating a toxin in a pellet. We trialled a prototype pellet proposed for encapsulation of 1080 and/or alternative toxins, with delivery proposed through the CURIOSITY bait. Aim Our aim was to determine whether the pellet was consumed by non-target native species from south-west of Western Australia. Methods Trials involved use of a non-toxic biomarker, Rhodamine B, encapsulated within the pellet and inserted into the CURIOSITY® bait. Uptake of the encapsulated biomarker was assessed in captive trials for the target species, the feral cat (Felis catus) and two non-target species of varanid lizard, Rosenberg’s goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) and Gould’s goanna (V. gouldii) and the non-target mammal species chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) and southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus). Uptake of the encapsulated biomarker was also assessed in field trials for a range of native species. Key results Captive trials demonstrated feral cats will consume the CURIOSITY bait and pellet. However, results from captive and field trials indicated several non-target species also consumed the bait and pellet. We also found the pellet itself was not sufficiently robust for use in a bait. As with previously reported studies, we found Rhodamine B to be an effective biomarker for use in cats. We also developed a technique whereby Rhodamine B can be used as a biomarker in reptiles. However, its use as a biomarker in other mammalian species was confounded by what appeared to be background, or pre-existing, levels of fluorescence, or banding, in their whiskers. Conclusion The prototype pellet is unsuitable in its current form for use with the CURIOSITY bait. We caution that the CURIOSITY bait has non-target issues in south-west of Western Australia and any proposed variations to this bait, or the ERADICAT® bait, need to be rigorously assessed for their potential risk to non-target species and assessed for the level of uptake by cats, irrespective of their suitability/unsuitability as a medium for delivery of an encapsulated toxin. We believe the threat to biodiversity-conservation values from unmitigated feral-cat predation of native fauna poses a significant and real threat and we recommend urgent investment of resources to address the issue of cat predation in a coordinated and collaborative manner within Australia and New Zealand.

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