The CRC for Biological Control of Vertebrate Pest Populations: fertility control of wildlife for conservation

Abstract

In the last four years there has been a growing awareness of fertility control as a means of reducing or eliminating pest mammals. It is the preferred option of animal welfare groups in Australia (Tyndale-Biscoe 1991) and in North America (Denver Wildlife Research Center 1993), and the expectations have accordingly been raised for its imminent use for the control of Australia's most intractable species, the rabbit, the fox and the cat. In this article I will outline the progress so far achieved in developing this approach for the fox and rabbit, the major obstacles that still remain including the perceived risks, and the long-term prospects for these and other species if fertility control is shown to be an effective means of controlling pest populations.