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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 31(6)

Potential impact of aerial baiting for wild dogs on a population of spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus)

Andrew J. Murray A B and Robert N. Poore A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 260, Orbost, Vic. 3888, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: andrew.murray@dse.vic.gov.au

Wildlife Research 31(6) 639-644 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR03067
Submitted: 24 July 2003  Accepted: 9 July 2004   Published: 23 December 2004

Abstract

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a threatened marsupial that inhabits forests in eastern Australia. In many of these forests the species is sympatric with populations of wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo, Canis familiaris and hybrids of the two), which are subject to poison-baiting programs. Many of these programs involve dropping meat baits injected with 6 mg of 1080 from helicopters. To date, the effect of this method on populations of spotted-tailed quolls has not been quantified. We carried out a simulated aerial baiting program using meat baits injected with a non-toxic baitmarker, Rhodamine B, which is laid down in the vibrissae of mammals ingesting baits. Of the 16 spotted-tailed quolls subsequently captured, 10 had Rhodamine B in their vibrissae. The potential impact that this level of bait uptake might have on a population of quolls is discussed.


Acknowledgments

David Fairbridge (Vertebrate Pest Research Department, Victorian Institute of Animal Science) provided the Rhodamine B in a powder form to be injected into the meat baits. Frank Busana (Vertebrate Pest Research Department, Victorian Institute of Animal Science) provided additional information concerning the application of Rhodamine B. Chris Belcher was involved in the trapping program, and Jim Darrant navigated the helicopter during the simulated aerial baiting run. Craig Mills assisted in the aerial baiting program. David Fairbridge carried out analysis of the whiskers. David Choquenot, Nick Dexter, Andrew Claridge, John McIlroy, Stephen Henry, David Fairbridge and Mike Crowley all made useful contributions to earlier drafts of this paper, as did two anonymous referees. This research was carried out under the authority of National Parks and Wildlife Service Scientific Licence No. A1571, with the authority granted under the State Forests Special Purposes Permit No. 05378, and was carried out under State Forests Ethics Committee approval. The Australian Alps Liaison Committee, the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service provided funding for the study.


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