A systematic approach to evaluating and ranking the relative animal welfare impacts of wildlife control methods: poisons used for lethal control of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Beausoleil ◽  
P. Fisher ◽  
K. E. Littin ◽  
B. Warburton ◽  
D. J. Mellor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Wildlife Control ◽  
Management Decision Making

Context Control of unwanted wildlife (‘pest’ animals) is undertaken for conservation and economic reasons, and when such animals are considered a nuisance. Such control should be undertaken using approaches that minimise, as far as possible, detrimental impacts on the welfare of the animals. Using a scientific framework based on the Five Domains model, the relative welfare impacts of pest control methods can be compared across methods and pest species. Aims We demonstrate the application of a modified version of this framework to evaluate the relative impacts of seven Vertebrate Toxic Agents (VTAs) used to control brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. The evaluation is used to produce a ranking of the seven VTAs based on their relative impacts on possum welfare. Methods Scientific literature describing mode of toxic action, specific effects in possums or other animals and reports from human poisonings was collated as reference material for a panel of six experts. The panel produced a median welfare impact score (‘none’ to ‘extreme’) for each of the Five Domains. The ‘Overall Grade’ (1 to 8) reflected the intensity and duration of all impacts of a VTA on possums. Key results All VTAs evaluated have at least moderate impacts on possum welfare, lasting for at least minutes. Cyanide was assessed as having the lowest welfare impacts (median grade 4), and cholecalciferol and the anticoagulants the highest impacts (7.5 to 8). Zinc phosphide was assigned an intermediate grade (6) with high confidence. While the overall impacts of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and phosphorus were also assessed as intermediate (6), the panel’s confidence in these scores was low. Conclusions From an animal welfare perspective, anticoagulant poisons and cholecalciferol should be the least preferred options for controlling possums in New Zealand, as VTAs with less severe welfare impacts are available. Implications The results of such assessments allow animal welfare impacts to be integrated with other factors in wildlife management decision-making and policy development, and are thus useful for managers, researchers, regulators and operators. Evaluation of welfare impacts aligns with the goals and mandates of ethical wildlife control and may also be valuable in wider wildlife research and management activities.

Behaviour and time to unconsciousness of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) after a lethal or sublethal dose of 1080

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate E. Littin ◽  
Neville G. Gregory ◽  
Andrea T. Airey ◽  
Charles T. Eason ◽  
David J. Mellor
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Total Loss ◽  
Sublethal Dose ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
H 26

Context. Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a vertebrate pesticide used in several countries, including New Zealand, where it is the main pesticide for controlling brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) – a significant agricultural and conservation pest. There is growing concern internationally about the impacts of vertebrate pesticides, including 1080, on pest animal welfare. Aims. Behavioural changes and time to loss of consciousness of possums after 1080 ingestion in carrot baits were determined to compare the animal welfare impacts with other possum pesticides. Methods. Eight lethally dosed possums and eight that consumed a dose intended to be sublethal were observed until death or recovery but not handled. Another nine lethally dosed possums were handled to determine responses to stimuli, indicating time to loss of consciousness. Key results. Unhandled, lethally dosed possums died after 11 h 26 min ± 1 h 55 min (mean ± s.e.m.). Half had abnormal appearances and postures 1 h 50 min ± 9 min after consuming baits. Seven showed retching, and three vomited, over 27 ± 12 min from 2 h 53 min ± 13 min. Lack of coordination began 3 h 37 min ± 32 min after dosing, then possums spent most of the time until death lying, showing spasms and tremors. Five showed seizures while lying prostrate. Possums receiving a nominally sublethal dose all showed signs of poisoning, including abnormal postures, lethargy, lack coordination, retching, spasms or tremors, and a cessation of grooming, feeding and activity. One died 18 h 15 min after dosing, experiencing two seizures within 30 min of death. Response to handling, indicating total loss of consciousness, was lost in two possums before death. Conclusions. Possums ingesting a lethal dose of 1080 experienced ~9.5 h of changed behaviour and lost consciousness close to death, although awareness was likely reduced sometime beforehand. Possums ingesting a nominally sublethal dose experienced some effects of poisoning. Implications. These impacts are intermediate compared with other possum pesticides in New Zealand. Nevertheless, the potential for consciousness during and after retching and seizures is undesirable for animal welfare. Further work is encouraged on alternatives to 1080 and means of reducing its impact on animal welfare.

Multi-scale dynamic maps for the management of invading and established wildlife populations: brushtail possums in New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Shepherd ◽  
S. Gillingham ◽  
T. Heuer ◽  
M. C. Barron ◽  
A. E. Byrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Spatial Model ◽  
General Public ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Wildlife Populations

Context The abundance and distribution of mammalian species often change in response to environmental variability, losses or gains in suitable habitat and, in the case of pest species, control programs. Consequently, conventional distribution maps rapidly become out of date and fail to provide useful information for wildlife managers. For invasive brushtail possum populations in New Zealand, the main causes of change are control programs by central and local government agencies, and post-control recovery through recolonisation and in situ recruitment. Managers need to know current, and likely future, possum population levels relative to control targets to help assess success at preventing the spread of disease or for protecting indigenous species. Information on the outcomes of government-funded possum control needs to be readily available to members of the general public interested in issues such as conservation, disease management and animal welfare. Aims To produce dynamic, scalable maps of the current and predicted future distribution and abundance of possums in New Zealand, taking into account changes due to control, and to use recent visualisation technology to make this information accessible to managers and the general public for assessing control strategies at multiple spatial scales. Methods We updated an existing individual-based spatial model of possum population dynamics, extending it to represent all individuals in a national population of up to 40 million. In addition, we created a prototype interface for interactive web-based presentation of the model’s predictions. Key results The improved capability of the new model for assessing possum management at local-to-national scales provided for real-time, mapped updates and forecasts of the distribution and abundance of possums in New Zealand. The versatility of this platform was illustrated using scenarios for current and emerging issues in New Zealand. These are hypothetical incursions of possums, reinvasion of large areas cleared of possums, and impacts on animal welfare of national-scale management of possums as vectors of bovine tuberculosis (TB). Conclusions The new individual-based spatial model for possum populations in New Zealand demonstrated the utility of combining models of wildlife population dynamics with high-speed computing capability to provide up-to-date, easily accessible information on a species’ distribution and abundance. Applications include predictions for future changes in response to incursions, reinvasion and large-scale possum control. Similar models can be used for other species for which there are suitable demographic data, typically pest species, harvested species or species with a high conservation value. Implications Models such as the spatial model for possums in New Zealand can provide platforms for (1) real-time visualisation of wildlife distribution and abundance, (2) reporting and assessing progress towards achieving management goals at multiple scales, (3) use as a decision-support tool to scope potential changes in wildlife populations or simulate the outcomes of alternative management strategies, and (4) making information about pest control publicly available.

An Integrated Approach for Maximising Local and Scientific Knowledge for Land Management Decision-Making in the New Zealand High Country.

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
OJH Bosch ◽  
WJ Allen ◽  
JM Williams ◽  
AH Ensor
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Management Decision Making

This paper describes the development of a process to facilitate the identification and introduction of sustainable land management practices in the high country of New Zealand. The process was designed to gather and structure community knowledge (both local and scientific) into a single, accessible decision support system (DSS). The development and provision of appropriate, and user-friendly monitoring tools is supported. An outline is given of how this integrated system can be used to integrate monitoring with adaptive management. Special reference is made to how this process is used as a large-scale ecological 'experiment', to enhance continually the knowledge base available for land use decision-making in the South Island high country of New Zealand.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Animal Welfare Impacts of Novel Capture Methods for Two Species of Invasive Wild Mammals in New Zealand

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
A. David M. Latham ◽  
Ben Davidson ◽  
Bruce Warburton ◽  
Ivor Yockney ◽  
Jordan O. Hampton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Mortality Cost ◽  
Induction Times ◽  
Capture Techniques

All capture methods impose animal welfare impacts, but these impacts are rarely quantified or reported. We present data from two wildlife capture studies that trialled new methods for capturing Bennett’s wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in New Zealand. We used helicopter net-gunning for both species, and compared this method with ground-based netting for wallabies and helicopter darting for red deer, using, for the first time in New Zealand, the fast-acting opioid thiafentanil. Efficacy and animal welfare parameters quantified were duration of handling and recovery, and frequency of adverse events, including escape, injury, and mortality. Cost-effectiveness was quantified for each method. Capture mortalities occurred for all methods for both species. For red deer, chemical immobilisation led to fewer traumatic injuries and fewer mortalities, while for wallabies, net-gunning led to fewer mortalities. Net-gunning was an efficient capture method for deer in open habitat, but led to the escape of 54% of wallabies and one wallaby mortality (4%). Ground-based netting resulted in the mortality of 17% of wallabies at the time of capture, and the capture of non-target species. The cost per captured wallaby was 40% more expensive for net-gunning (NZ$1045) than for ground-based netting (NZ$745), but, once corrected for mortalities at the time of capture and suitability of individuals for GPS-collar deployment, this was reduced to 29% and 12% more expensive, respectively. Net-gunning for red deer resulted in the escape of 13% of animals and mortality of 10% of animals at the time of capture. Helicopter-based darting for red deer using thiafentanil (c. 0.03–0.06 mg/kg) had high capture efficacy (zero escapes), rapid induction times (mean of 3 min), and a low mortality rate at 14 days post-capture (3%), but it was more expensive per deer captured and collared than aerial netting (NZ$2677 and NZ$2234, respectively). We recommend reporting of adverse event data for all wildlife capture techniques to permit continual refinement of field methods.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the development and decision of flood reduction solution – case study in Can Tho city

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (X3) ◽  
pp. 55-64
Author(s):  
Tran Gia Pham
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Can Tho City ◽  
Environmental Policy Analysis

To date, there have been many studies on flooding and flood reduction measures in Can Tho city being carried out by the national and international researchers. However, there are virtually no studies that address the factors affecting the development and decision on the flood reduction solutions. Management decision making is one of the important policy tool in environmental management. Therefore, this study was undertaken to produce the suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of development of flood reduction solution of organizations and functional agencies as well as to contribute more the understanding to research topic of environmental policy analysis in Vietnam. The method used in this study is a social survey with a sample size of 45 officials and experts working in the field of design of flood reduction measures in the functional Departments, People's Committees at all levels and related social organizations. The research findings show that the main factors affecting the development and decision of reduction solutions are professional knowledge and the context of policy development. To enhance the effectiveness of decision of flood reduction solutions, suggestions include capacity building, co-operation strengthening, improvement of data source and increase of capital for flood reduction activities.

scholarly journals Evaluating the sensitivity of the LUCI model to GIS datasets to enable robust farm management decisions in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alicia I. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Elevation Model

<p>Degradation of water quality is a major issue in New Zealand, to which the loss of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from agriculture into waterways contributes significantly. To predict and manage diffuse pollution from intensive agriculture it is vital that models are able to spatially map the sources, flows and sinks of nutrients in the landscape and spatially target mitigations. This study investigates the application of one such model, the Land Utilisation Capability Indicator (LUCI). Used in conjunction with OVERSEER, LUCI is a powerful tool to support farm scale land management decision-making.  LUCI includes soil, topography and landcover datasets in its analysis. This thesis examines how the quality and resolution of each dataset affects LUCI’s output. Six different case studies are examined, across a range of New Zealand farming systems. This is the most comprehensive study, to date, of LUCI’s sensitivity to input datasets.  The results suggest that LUCI nutrient loading estimates are primarily sensitive to soil order, and therefore to changes in order classifications. Utilising different soil datasets in the LUCI model resulted in varying nutrient load predictions. This sensitivity is primarily attributed to the differing hydraulic and phosphorus retention capabilities of the respective soil orders. To test the sensitivity of LUCI to digital elevation model (DEM) resolution, multiple DEMs with varying spatial and vertical resolution were tested. These results strongly indicate that particularly fine resolution DEMs are required to accurately model flat landscapes.  It was recognised that LUCI was not using all of the relevant data available in Landcare Research’s S-Map database. LUCI was modified to use more of this information, and alternative methods of incorporating sibling level data in both LUCI and OVERSEER were investigated. Finally, avenues for future development are suggested. Overall, this thesis highlights the potential LUCI has to play a key role in farm scale environmental management.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluating the sensitivity of the LUCI model to GIS datasets to enable robust farm management decisions in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alicia I. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Elevation Model

<p>Degradation of water quality is a major issue in New Zealand, to which the loss of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment from agriculture into waterways contributes significantly. To predict and manage diffuse pollution from intensive agriculture it is vital that models are able to spatially map the sources, flows and sinks of nutrients in the landscape and spatially target mitigations. This study investigates the application of one such model, the Land Utilisation Capability Indicator (LUCI). Used in conjunction with OVERSEER, LUCI is a powerful tool to support farm scale land management decision-making.  LUCI includes soil, topography and landcover datasets in its analysis. This thesis examines how the quality and resolution of each dataset affects LUCI’s output. Six different case studies are examined, across a range of New Zealand farming systems. This is the most comprehensive study, to date, of LUCI’s sensitivity to input datasets.  The results suggest that LUCI nutrient loading estimates are primarily sensitive to soil order, and therefore to changes in order classifications. Utilising different soil datasets in the LUCI model resulted in varying nutrient load predictions. This sensitivity is primarily attributed to the differing hydraulic and phosphorus retention capabilities of the respective soil orders. To test the sensitivity of LUCI to digital elevation model (DEM) resolution, multiple DEMs with varying spatial and vertical resolution were tested. These results strongly indicate that particularly fine resolution DEMs are required to accurately model flat landscapes.  It was recognised that LUCI was not using all of the relevant data available in Landcare Research’s S-Map database. LUCI was modified to use more of this information, and alternative methods of incorporating sibling level data in both LUCI and OVERSEER were investigated. Finally, avenues for future development are suggested. Overall, this thesis highlights the potential LUCI has to play a key role in farm scale environmental management.</p>

scholarly journals Is There a Wild Animal Welfare Emergency Facilitated by Negative Linguistic Framing in Wildlife Population Control Studies?

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Emma F. Randall ◽  
Nieky van Veggel
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Wildlife Population ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
The Impact

As the world’s human population continues grow in number and mobility, and the impacts of climate change take effect, the opportunities for problematic relationships with non-human animals multiply. There are escalating threats to health from wild vectors of zoonotic disease, and so-called “invasive” species have been identified as a significant direct driver of an unprecedented period of global biodiversity loss. This brings a sense of genuine urgency to control problematic wild populations; in the UK alone, it is estimated that 38 million wild mammals and birds are killed as pests. However, the impact of these animals is not always objectively appraised. Control interventions are often ineffective, may be counterproductive and can cause severe suffering. Decisions about when, where and how to control animal populations can be affected by attitudes and philosophical perspectives, influenced by how language is used. A systematic review of wildlife population control studies was carried out to determine whether negative linguistic framing of animals was associated with poor welfare outcomes. Framework analysis of titles, abstracts and keywords was used, and assessments made of the welfare impacts of control methods. This analysis revealed language that framed target populations in terms of War, Threat, Place, Victim, Value, Sentience and Naturalness with a range of associated themes. There was a relationship between negative framing and methods with the most adverse welfare outcomes, but the effect was not consistent. It was clear that there are cultural conventions within the science that were reinforced or challenged depending on many factors including the status of the species and the context of the intervention. More work to explore and challenge cultural conventions in describing targeted animals, and robust reporting of the welfare impacts of control methods are needed to tackle this, often disregarded, animal welfare emergency.

Centralization and Effectiveness of Reward Management in Multinational Enterprises

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Tekieli ◽  
Marion Festing ◽  
Xavier Baeten
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Role Identities ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Subsidiary Managers ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Based on responses from 158 reward managers located at the headquarters or subsidiaries of multinational enterprises, the present study examines the relationship between the centralization of reward management decision making and its perceived effectiveness in multinational enterprises. Our results show that headquarters managers perceive a centralized approach as being more effective, while for subsidiary managers this relationship is moderated by the manager’s role identity. Referring to social identity theory, the present study enriches the standardization versus localization debate through a new perspective focusing on psychological processes, thereby indicating the importance of in-group favoritism in headquarters and the influence of subsidiary managers’ role identities on reward management decision making.

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