Production

Best bait rate win for wild dog control

Beef Central, 23/04/2014

 

More than 90 percent of wild dogs can be effectively controlled by targeted 1080 aerial baiting programs, according to solid scientific evidence gathered in wild dog prone areas of north-eastern NSW.

NSW Department of Primary Industries principal research scientist, Peter Fleming, said an optimum bait rate of 40 baits per kilometre delivered close to twice the level of control gained from the currently approved rate – 10 baits per kilometre, which was only 55 percent effective.

“These results have huge and positive implications for livestock producers and wildlife managers,” Dr Fleming said.

“Based on this new evidence, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority have this month extended the permit to use 40 baits per kilometre for the next 12 months.

"Aerial baiting plays a significant role in the strategic and target specific management of wild dogs in eastern NSW and clearly use of the optimum bait rate boosts the effectiveness of baiting programs.

Dr Peter Fleming“In the long-term, adoption of the optimum bait rate will ensure that land managers continue to get value for their expenditure and efforts,” Dr Fleming said.

The four-year aerial baiting trial was supported by Australian Wool Innovation, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Australian Pest Animal Research Program, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and NSW DPI to fortify the effectiveness of wild dog and fox management

NSW DPI’s Vertebrate Pest Research Unit continues to work with landholders, NSW NPWS and Local Land Services (formerly Livestock Health and Pest Authorities) to ensure livestock and local communities are protected from wild dogs.

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