Effect of Presentation on the Attractiveness and Palatability to Wild Dogs and Other Wildlife of 2 Unpoisoned Wild-Dog Bait Types

Abstract

Factory-prepared beef crackle cubes and fresh meat baits are routinely used with the poison 1080 to prevent or reduce predation by wild dogs, Canis familiaris. Four field trials totalling 674 bait nights per bait type were conducted in southern Queensland to assess the relative attractiveness and palatability of the two baits to wild dogs and non-target animals. Buried meat and surface-laid meat baits were also compared to assess the effect that bait presentation can have on control programme efficiency and non-target hazard. Fresh meat was found to be significantly more palatable to wild dogs than factory baits. Factory baits, despite being equally attractive to wild dogs as fresh meat, had significantly more visits by wild dogs where baits were not eaten. Fresh meat was significantly more attractive and palatable to non-target species than factory baits. Buried baits were equally attractive and palatable to wild dogs compared with surface-laid meat baits, yet had greatly reduced non-target bait take. The significance of the results is discussed with regard to the potential 1080 hazard to birds and reptiles (which removed 28% and 10% of baits, respectively) and the influence that non-target removal of baits may have on the efficiency and design of wild-dog control programmes. Extra keywords: Compound 1080, poison, SEA, sodium fluoroacetate.