Effects on non-target animal populations of a rabbit trail-baiting campaign with 1080 poison

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Mcilroy ◽  
EJ Gifford
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Target Animal ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Exotic Pest

Populations of non-target birds and mammals on a semi-cleared grazing property near Braidwood, New South Wales, did not appear to be affected by a trail-baiting campaign against rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, using pellet bait and 1080 poison. Rabbit numbers were reduced by about 90% and those of the fox, Vulpes vulpes, another exotic pest, by about 75%. Populations of both pest species began recovering soon after the campaign, indicating the need for continued control measures.

Diet of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in South-west New South Wales, with relevance to lamb predation.

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
IW Lugton
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
South West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Preferred Foods ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The diets of 212 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the far south-west of New South Wales were determined between 1985 and 1989 and compared with other Australian studies. Mammalian remains, at an overall occurrence of 99.1%, formed the basis of the diet during the autumn and winter months. The most frequently occurring mammals were rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (34.9%), sheep (Ovis aries) (30.7%) and macropods (Macropus spp.) (20.3%). Insects occurred in 31.1% of stomachs and formed a substantial proportion of the diet. Fresh newborn lamb was identified in only 3.8% of all stomachs, but evidence of lamb consumption was 10 times greater (35.2%) from foxes collected near lambing flocks. Other studies around lambing flocks have also shown a high occurrence of fresh lamb in fox stomachs and there is circumstantial evidence that predation of lambs by foxes can be common. It was concluded that lamb predation is likely to be severe where the fox population density is high, where older foxes predominate, and where alternative preferred foods are scarce. More research is required to confirm these observations.

Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Chris Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Minor Components ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Central Eastern

The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) was studied at Lake Burrendong, central-eastern New South Wales, from July 1994 to June 1997. Mammals were the major prey in 499 scats that were analysed. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were the staple prey, while carrion was an important secondary food. Invertebrates, other mammalian prey, vegetation, birds and reptiles were generally minor components of the diet. Few significant seasonal differences in diet were found; however, invertebrates contributed less and possums more to the diet in winter and summer respectively. A significant dietary response was found to changes in rabbit abundance, but not for the other prey types. Cats continued to prey heavily on rabbits even after a 90% decline in rabbit abundance occurred, which coincided with the advent of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD). House mice (Mus domesticus) increased in importance in the diet ten months post-RCD. Although the abundance of cats was correlated with the abundance of some prey species, other factors may have influenced the observed patterns; these are discussed.

Recolonisation by rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) after warren destruction in Western New South Wales.

1986 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parer ◽  
BS Parker
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Low Level ◽  
South Wales

Warren destruction by ripping reduced the number of warrens on a property in western New South Wales to a very low level. After the cessation of ripping the number of warrens remained low for three years. In the following years rainfall was above average and during this period the number of warrens increased considerably.

Studies of the Ground-dwelling Mammals of Eucalypt Forests in North-eastern New South Wales: the Species, their Abundance and Distribution

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Widespread Distribution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

The distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the major vegetation alliances in the eucalypt forests within an area of c. 24000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales were examined. Data for 33 species of mammal from 21 areas containing 30 vegetation alliances were collected. Four notable aspects of the data were the absence or low abundance of the introduced fox (Vulpes vulpes), the widespread distribution and abundance of the cat (Felis catus), the diversity and abundance of medium-sized native mammals and the diversity of small mammals. Although differences occurred between areas and alliances, there was no significant difference in the number of native and introduced species. The ground-dwelling mammals present in the eucalypt forests of north-eastern New South Wales were more diverse and in greater abundance than those found in forests of south-eastern New South Wales. However, some species, such as the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), appear to be in urgent need of protection and management if they are to persist.

Temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 593 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Molsher ◽  
E. J. Gifford ◽  
J. C. McIlroy
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Moon Phases ◽  
Temporal Synchrony ◽  
South Wales

This study describes temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of 255 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected from agricultural land in central New South Wales from July 1994 to November 1996. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), sheep (Ovis aries), eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and invertebrates were the most important food items overall. Significant seasonal variations, and sex and age differences between foxes occurred in the consumption of some food types. Some temporal synchrony was also evident, with different individuals often eating similar foods on the same night. This may have been related to moonlight. On full moon nights, foxes ate rabbits and small mammals significantly less often than during other moon phases. The management implications of variation in diet are discussed.

The distribution and abundance of the ectoparasites of the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in New South Wales, Australia

Parasitology ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
South Wales

In the winters of 1969 and 1970 a total of 64 rabbits was shot at 11 sites covering diverse climatic regions in the western, central and eastern districts of New South Wales. The ectoparasites of these rabbits were identified and counted. The flea Echidnophaga myrmecobii was most frequently found in western districts; the louse Haemadipsus ventricosus was prevalent in the central districts; the mite Listrophorus gibbus was very abundant on rabbits from the eastern districts, whilst the mite Cheyletiella parasitivorax was prevalent on rabbits from central and eastern districts.The probable consequences of these variations are discussed in relation to their possible effects on the epidemiology of myxomatosis.This investigation was carried out as part of the study of the biology of the wild rabbit undertaken by the Division of Wildlife Research, CSIRO, under the general supervision of Mr K. Myers. The author is indebted to P. Haycock and Miss S. Stephens for invaluable technical assistance. Messrs I. Parer, M. Stranger, G. Richards, H. Bults, J. Libke and P. Haycock shot the rabbit samples.

Trapping efficiency for foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central New SouthWales: age and sex biases and the effects of reduced fox abundance

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Kay ◽  
Edward Gifford ◽  
Rob Perry ◽  
Remy van de Ven
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sex Biases ◽  
Age And Sex

A total of 276 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was captured over 40 597 trap-nights during 1994–96 at three separate sites in central New South Wales, resulting in an overall trapping efficiency of one fox per 147 trap-nights. Trapping using multiple trap sets placed at carcases was 3.2 times more efficient than trapping using single trap sets. During 1994–95, when two of the sites suffered a severe drought, fox abundance declined to less than 0.2 foxes km–1 of spotlight transect; trapping efficiency at those sites also declined, to an average of one fox per 315 trap-nights. Mean trapping efficiency for non-drought periods was one fox per 135 trap-nights, 2.3 times more efficient than during the drought period. In 1995 and 1996, 353 foxes were shot in areas adjacent to each site. This gave the opportunity to compare sex and age biases between the trapped and shot samples: the ratio of males to females was significantly higher in the trapped sample than in the shot sample, and there was also a significantly higher ratio of adults to juveniles in the trapped sample than in the shot sample.

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