Secondary Poisoning Hazards Associated With 1080-Treated Carrot-Baiting Campaigns Against Rabbits, Oryctolagus Cuniculus.

Abstract

The conc. of 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) in dry muscle, organs, and stomach contents of rabbits poisoned by eating baited carrots ranged from 0.004 to 0.423 mg/g. Stomach contents (mainly masticated carrot bait) and livers contained the highest concn., followed by stomach tissue, kidneys, heart, and muscle. The total 1080 content in rabbits ranged from 0.01 to 4.88 mg. The risk of secondary poisoning in animals eating rabbits poisoned by 1080 was evaluated using 2 methods. Foxes, dingos, dogs and cats probably face the greatest risk of secondary poisoning. The extent to which other carrion-eating animals, particularly birds and small dasyurids, are at risk depends on their feeding habits and wheter they are able to vomit or develop an aversion to the taste and smell of 1080. Secondary poisoning can be minimized by using the minimum effective concn. of 1080 in baits and by removing the dead animals from the treated area.