Development of a new humane toxin for predator control in New Zealand

Eason, Charles; Murphy, Elaine; Hix, Steve; MacMorran, Duncan

doi:10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00183.x

Cited by 31 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The effects from a lethal dose of bait are comparable to those previously observed on stoats, cats and foxes dosed with PAPP, a toxin that is also considered to be relatively more humane than currently registered toxins used for these species such as 1080 (Marks et al 2004;Beausoleil et al 2010; Eason et al 2010Eason et al , 2014Murphy et al 2011). However, possum control is often undertaken in close proximity to areas where domestic non-target species are present.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…In mammals, methaemoglobin (MtHb) levels in the blood are normally below 2% (Fan et al 1987). Levels of MtHb in the blood above 70% are usually fatal, creating a lethal deficit of oxygen in cardiac muscle and the brain, and the resulting rapid lack of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs quickly leads to death from respiratory failure (Wright et al 1999;Eason et al 2010). For mammals the common signs of severe methaemoglobinaemia include shortness of breath, cyanosis, lethargy, loss of consciousness and bluish colouring of the skin especially in areas of high blood supply like lips, gums, hands/paws and nose (Kennedy et al 1997;Wright et al 1999;Eason et al 2014;Shapiro et al 2015Shapiro et al , 2016.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

Shapiro¹,

Blackie²,

Arthur³

et al. 2018

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Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) present an ongoing threat to New Zealand's environment and economy. Research into additional control techniques is vital to ensure that a variety of efficient tools are available to help achieve population suppression. Encapsulated sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ) has been developed in New Zealand as a new toxin for possum and feral pig (Sus scrofa) control. Its toxic effects at high doses are mediated through the induction of methaemoglobinaemia, a condition in which the carrying capacity of oxygen in red blood cells is reduced. This study investigated the potential secondary poisoning risks associated with NaNO 2 . Secondary poisoning risks were assessed for dogs, cats and chickens in small-scale trials. Trial groups for each species consisted of two treatment groups with four individuals per group and one non-treatment group with two individuals. For 6 consecutive days, the treatment groups of dogs, cats and chickens were fed entire or partial carcasses from possums lethally poisoned with paste bait containing encapsulated NaNO 2 . Individuals in each group were observed continuously for 3 hours following each daily feeding and blood samples were taken from dogs and cats. Individuals were observed for obvious physiological signs of NaNO 2 poisoning and symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia specific to dogs, cats and chickens. None of the dogs, cats or chickens displayed any obvious physiological signs of poisoning or symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia. Blood chemistry and haematology parameters measured for dogs and cats were either within the range considered normal or when outside this range comparable levels were also recorded in the control group. No changes in histology relating to NaNO 2 intoxication were observed in dogs or cats after being fed carcasses, minced meat, vital organs or stomachs of possums poisoned with NaNO 2 . Therefore, the secondary poisoning risk appears to be minimal.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

Shapiro¹,

Blackie²,

Arthur³

et al. 2018

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“…Regardless of costs, the effectiveness of feral cat control on inhabited islands may benefit from new approaches, such as the development of a novel toxin (Eason et al . ), integrated with automated walk‐through traps (Blackie et al . ) that can detect micro‐chips and avoid poison delivery to domestic cats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat‐specific effectiveness of feral cat control for the conservation of an endemic ground‐nesting bird species

Oppel

Burns

Vickery

et al. 2014

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Invasive non-native species are one of the greatest drivers of the loss of biodiversity world-wide. Consequently, removing or controlling invasive predators should generally benefit vulnerable native species. However, especially on islands, where most mammalian predators are introduced, these predators may also prey on other invasive mammals. Removing only apex predators may lead to increases of meso-predators that may in turn increase predation pressure on native wildlife. 2. We examined the benefits of a feral cat Felis catus control programme on nest survival of a critically endangered ground-nesting bird, the St Helena Plover Charadrius sanctaehelenae in two habitat types, harbouring c. 30% of the global population of this species. We monitored nest success and the activity of introduced mammals (cats, rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, rats Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus, and mice Mus musculus) over 2 years, before and after controlling feral cats. 3. Live trapping removed 56 feral cats from our study areas. In the semi-desert, rabbit and mouse activity increased, but rat activity remained low after feral cat control. In pastures, rat and mouse activity increased after feral cat control, while rabbit activity remained constant. 4. Nest survival of plovers increased more than threefold in the semi-desert, but increased only marginally in pastures. This difference may be due to an increase in rat activity and potentially rat predation following cat control in pastures, whereas no increase in rat activity was observed in the semi-desert. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study shows habitat-specific consequences of feral cat control on ground-nesting bird productivity after 1 year, probably mediated by differences in the availability of alternative prey. The results highlight the importance of experimental trials and a thorough understanding of the interactions between multiple invasive species before predator-control operations are implemented over larger scales. On islands with multiple invasive species, there may not be a simple generic approach to predator management (other than removing all invasive species simultaneously).

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“…As noted by others, it is important that new methods for controlling vertebrate pests should be acceptably humane [36]–[38]. In New Zealand, this is predicated not only on a growing social awareness for more humane pest control, but also on the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act which requires that research to develop new poisons must ensure that animals are killed in such a manner that the animal ‘does not suffer unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress’.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

2013

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The introduced Australian brushtail possum is a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand, with impacts on conservation and agriculture being managed largely through poisoning operations. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is registered for use in controlling possums and despite its many advantages it is expensive and relatively inhumane. Combination of a high proportion of aspirin with a low proportion of cholecalciferol was effective in killing high proportions of groups of acclimatised, caged possums: this is attributed to both an unexpectedly high toxicity of the type of cholecalciferol used, and a proposed synergistic mechanism between the two compounds. Death was caused by localised damage to heart ventricles by aspirin, and inhibition of tissue repair by both aspirin and cholecalciferol. The observed toxicosis had lower impact on the welfare of possums than either compound administered alone, particularly aspirin alone. Residue analyses of bait remains in the GI tract suggested a low risk of secondary poisoning by either compound. The combination of cholecalciferol and aspirin has the potential to meet key requirements of cost-effectiveness and humaneness in controlling possum populations, but the effect of the combination in non-target species has yet to be tested.

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Development of a new humane toxin for predator control in New Zealand

Cited by 31 publications

References 20 publications

Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

Secondary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for possum control

Habitat‐specific effectiveness of feral cat control for the conservation of an endemic ground‐nesting bird species

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

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