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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 34(7)

Prospects for the future: is there a role for virally vectored immunocontraception in vertebrate pest management?

S. R. McLeod A F , G. Saunders A , L. E. Twigg B , A. D. Arthur C , D. Ramsey D and L. A. Hinds E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

B Vertebrate Pest Research Section, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, 100 Bougainvillea Avenue, Forrestfield, WA 6058, Australia.

C CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, GPO Box 284, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

D Landcare Research, Private Bag 11052, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Current address: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.

E CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: steven.mcleod@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Wildlife Research 34(7) 555-566 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR07050
Submitted: 26 April 2007  Accepted: 31 October 2007   Published: 13 December 2007

Abstract

Virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC) has been studied and promoted as an alternative to lethal methods for vertebrate pest control in Australia and New Zealand. Virally vectored immunocontraception offers a potentially humane and species-specific control method with potential for a good benefit–cost outcome, but its applicability for broad-scale management remains unknown. We present case studies for the house mouse, European rabbit, red fox and common brushtail possum and describe the current status of research into the use of VVIC as a broad-scale pest-management tool. All case studies indicated that there are significant problems with delivery and efficacy. The current state of development suggests that VVIC is not presently a viable alternative for the management of these vertebrate pests, and it is highly unlikely that this will change in the foreseeable future. An absence of benefit–cost data also hinders decision-making, and until benefit–cost data become available it will not be clear if there are short- or long-term benefits resulting from the use of VVIC for broad-scale pest management.


Acknowledgements

We thank Peter Fleming, John Tracey and Trudy Sharp for help in producing Table 1. We also thank the many people who, over many years, have contributed to the research and development that underpins our review.


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