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Corvid interference with Canid Pest Ejectors in the southern rangelands of Western Australia
Author(s) -
Kreplins Tracey L.,
Kennedy Malcolm S.,
Dundas Shan J.,
Adams Peter J.,
Bateman Philip W.,
Fleming Patricia A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecological management and restoration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.472
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1442-8903
pISSN - 1442-7001
DOI - 10.1111/emr.12307
Subject(s) - rangeland , pest analysis , population , pest control , integrated pest management , biology , geography , ecology , environmental science , medicine , environmental health , horticulture
Summary Canid Pest Ejectors ( CPE ) are a method of population management that has recently been approved for the control of wild dogs and foxes in Australia. A pilot trial of CPE s ( n = 10) targeting wild dogs was conducted in the southern rangelands of Western Australia in the winter of 2017. CPE s were deployed for 81 days, which included periods of significant rainfall. CPE s were not serviced during deployment, which is a likely situation for remote areas where access may be limited. During deployment, all ejector units corroded and plastic capsules containing 1080 degraded (but did not leak). For CPE s to remain effective in the field, they require regular inspections and servicing, particularly in wet conditions. Interference by nontarget corvid species was observed. Six CPE s were interfered with by corvids, with the lures removed from three, partially removed from another two and one disassembled. Our data suggest that corvid interference with ejectors may have a significant impact on the efficiency and safety of their use. Further investigation into the usefulness of Canid Pest Ejectors as method of canid control is required for rangeland use.