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REVIEW
Contents Vol 33(8)

Application of pharmaceutical drug delivery for biological control of the common brushtail possum in New Zealand: a review

A. McDowell A C , B. J. McLeod B , T. Rades A and I. G. Tucker A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

B AgResearch Invermay, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: arlene.mcdowell@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Wildlife Research 33(8) 679-689 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06028
Submitted: 20 March 2006  Accepted: 23 October 2006   Published: 19 December 2006

Abstract

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the most significant vertebrate pest in New Zealand, being a major ecological threat to the indigenous biodiversity and an economic threat as a vector for bovine tuberculosis. Novel and effective strategies to reduce the population of T. vulpecula are needed urgently. Several biocontrol agents are currently being assessed and from research to date it is likely that the biocontrol agents will be peptide or protein molecules. It is not possible to administer such biocontrol agents alone because they would be degraded rapidly in the animal, especially if delivered orally. Technologies used in the pharmaceutical industry to design efficacious drug-delivery systems for humans and animals can be applied to the design of delivery systems for biocontrol agents used in wildlife management, although there are some unique challenges that must be overcome.


Acknowledgments

The authors are part of the National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol (NRCPB), which includes personnel from two Crown Research Institutes (AgResearch and Landcare Research) and from New Zealand and Australian universities. The NRCPB receives funding from the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and The Animal Health Board. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript.


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