Optimising possum control using encapsulated cyanide (Feratoxreg;)

Thomas, Moyer D.; Maddigan, Fraser; Brown, Jennifer; Trotter, M.

doi:10.30843/nzpp.2003.56.6089

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This type of informed trapping was first attempted by using clumps of flour and icing sugar (Thomson et al 2002 ), but more recently specific devices such as WaxTags (Pest Control Research, Christchurch, New Zealand) and chewcards (Connovation Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand) have been developed and used in control programmes (Thomas et al . 2007 ; Sweetapple and Nugent 2008 , 2011 ). Where detection devices show a positive detection, from tooth mark impressions left on the device, three or four follow-up traps are set around the device for three or four nights and all captured possums are recovered for necropsy.…”

Section: New Zealand Contracting System and Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing and eradicating wildlife tuberculosis in New Zealand

Warburton

Livingstone

2015

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

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Tuberculosis (TB) due to Mycobacterium bovis infection was first identified in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand in the late 1960s. Since the early 1970s, possums in New Zealand have been controlled as part of an ongoing strategy to manage the disease in livestock. The TB management authority (TBfree New Zealand) currently implements three strategic choices for disease-related possum control: firstly TB eradication in areas selected for eradication of the disease from livestock and wildlife, secondly Free Area Protection in areas in which possums are maintained at low densities, normally along a Vector Risk Area (VRA) boundary, and thirdly Infected Herd Suppression, which includes the remaining parts of VRA where possums are targeted to minimise the infection risk to livestock. Management is primarily through a range of lethal control options. The frequency and intensity of control is driven by a requirement to reduce populations to very low levels (usually to a trap-catch index below 2%), then to hold them at or below this level for 5–10 years to ensure disease eradication.Lethal possum control is implemented using aerial- and ground-based applications, under various regulatory and operational constraints. Extensive research has been undertaken aimed at improving the efficacy and efficiency of control. Aerial applications use sodium fluoroacetate (1080) bait for controlling possums over extensive and rugged areas of forest that are difficult to access by foot. Ground-based control uses a range of toxins (primarily, a potassium cyanide-based product) and traps. In the last 5 years there has been a shift from simple possum population control to the collection of spatial data on possum presence/absence and relative density, using simple possum detection devices using global positioning system-supported data collection tools, with recovery of possum carcasses for diagnostic necropsy. Such data provide information subsequently used in predictive epidemiological models to generate a probability of TB freedom.The strategies for managing TB in New Zealand wildlife now operate on four major principles: firstly a target threshold for possum population reduction is defined and set, secondly an objective methodology is applied for assessing whether target reductions have been achieved, thirdly effective control tools for achieving possum population reductions are used, and fourthly the necessary legislative support is in place to ensure compliance. TBfree New Zealand's possum control programme meets these requirements, providing an excellent example of an effective pest and disease control programme.

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Section: New Zealand Contracting System and Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing and eradicating wildlife tuberculosis in New Zealand

Warburton

Livingstone

2015

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

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“…feral cats). For example, if an acute toxin such as Feratox (potassium cyanide) is used in bait-stations [ 29 ], the simulation results show that for maintaining possum densities at low levels no more than three Feratox pellets would be required per station. Limiting the number of toxic pellets per station would enable users to reduce the amount of toxin applied to the environment and potentially reduce the cost of poison operations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimising the Application of Multiple-Capture Traps for Invasive Species Management Using Spatial Simulation

Warburton

Gormley

2015

PLoS ONE

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Internationally, invasive vertebrate species pose a significant threat to biodiversity, agricultural production and human health. To manage these species a wide range of tools, including traps, are used. In New Zealand, brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), stoats (Mustela ermine), and ship rats (Rattus rattus) are invasive and there is an ongoing demand for cost-effective non-toxic methods for controlling these pests. Recently, traps with multiple-capture capability have been developed which, because they do not require regular operator-checking, are purported to be more cost-effective than traditional single-capture traps. However, when pest populations are being maintained at low densities (as is typical of orchestrated pest management programmes) it remains uncertain if it is more cost-effective to use fewer multiple-capture traps or more single-capture traps. To address this uncertainty, we used an individual-based spatially explicit modelling approach to determine the likely maximum animal-captures per trap, given stated pest densities and defined times traps are left between checks. In the simulation, single- or multiple-capture traps were spaced according to best practice pest-control guidelines. For possums with maintenance densities set at the lowest level (i.e. 0.5/ha), 98% of all simulated possums were captured with only a single capacity trap set at each site. When possum density was increased to moderate levels of 3/ha, having a capacity of three captures per trap caught 97% of all simulated possums. Results were similar for stoats, although only two potential captures per site were sufficient to capture 99% of simulated stoats. For rats, which were simulated at their typically higher densities, even a six-capture capacity per trap site only resulted in 80% kill. Depending on target species, prevailing density and extent of immigration, the most cost-effective strategy for pest control in New Zealand might be to deploy several single-capture traps rather than investing in fewer, but more expense, multiple-capture traps.

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“…A confounding variable in the above experimental design was the flour blaze, which accompanied the plain WaxTag ® . There have been several studies indicating that flour blazes or white-coloured backing boards increase visitations by possums to traps and/or poison baits (Thomas et al 2003;Warburton & Yockney 2000). It is speculated that the flour blaze is not only a visual lure, but a feeding and olfactory lure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, the first objective of this study was to investigate whether luminescent-coloured WaxTag ® s are more attractive to possums than plain-coloured WaxTag ® s that are accompanied with a flour blaze. It is known that the flour blaze increases possum encounter rates, but they are quickly washed off by rain (Thomas et al 2003). Luminescent-coloured WaxTag ® s were selected because photoluminescent pigments can store and reemit ambient light without the need for a battery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving techniques for the Waxtagreg; possum (<i>Trichosurus vulpecula</i>) monitoring index

Ogilvie¹,

Paterson²,

Ross³

et al. 2006

NZPP

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To manage brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) accurate estimates of abundance are essential Direct counts are not feasible for large populations and index techniques are normally employed A new index technique for estimating possum abundance is the WaxTagreg; They are potentially more effective than traps because they are small easier to use very lightweight and therefore higher numbers can be set out in the field Whilst a national monitoring protocol for WaxTagreg;s has been developed it is important to determine whether improvements can be made This study investigated firstly whether luminescentcoloured WaxTagreg;s were more attractive than the WaxTagreg; with a flour blaze and secondly whether raising the WaxTagreg;s 700 mm above the ground reduced detectability Possums significantly preferred the flour blaze over luminescence and raising WaxTagreg;s did not significantly reduce detectability Accordingly WaxTagreg;s could be raised up above grounddwelling nontarget species without reducing statistical precision

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Optimising possum control using encapsulated cyanide (Feratoxreg;)

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

Managing and eradicating wildlife tuberculosis in New Zealand

Managing and eradicating wildlife tuberculosis in New Zealand

Optimising the Application of Multiple-Capture Traps for Invasive Species Management Using Spatial Simulation

Improving techniques for the Waxtagreg; possum (<i>Trichosurus vulpecula</i>) monitoring index

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