A Radiotracking Study of Four Poisoning Techniques for Control of the European Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

Abstract

Telemetry was used to determine the patterns of mortality of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), day by day following laying of poisoned bait in the field. Four poisoning methods were studied: 'conventional' 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) in oat bait, 'conventional' 1080 in carrot bait, pindone (2-pivalyl-1,3-indandione) in oat bait, and 'one-shot' 1080 in oat bait. Three strengths of one-shot 1080 (0.25%, 1%, and 4%) were compared. The relative merits of the various poisoning techniques are discussed.