New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Fallow deer deaths during aerial-1080 poisoning of possums in the Blue
Mountains, Otago, New Zealand
G. Nugent
I. Yockney
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
Abstract Incidental kills of deer during aerial-1080
poisoning of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) using baits
containing sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) causes widespread hunter opposition
to this control method. We document the deaths of a large number of fallow
deer (Dama dama) after aerial-1080 poisoning in the Blue Mountains,
Otago. Three deer fitted with radio collars all died during the poisoning.
Eight randomly located “search cells” (25-57 ha) were each searched twice.
One pig (Sus scrofa), 53 deer, 58 possum, and 20 bird (three native)
carcasses were found. Deer-carcass density varied widely between cells (2.2-38.6/km2),
reflecting differences in deer density but apparently also the amount of ground
cover. The total number of deer killed was estimated using Lincoln indices.
More fawns were killed than larger adult deer. Comparison with historical
harvest data suggested that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the deer
present had been killed. This unintended by-kill will have reduced deer impacts
on native plants and the risk of Tb spread or persistence in deer. However,
such incidental benefits may not offset the increased indirect “social” costs
likely to arise from increased hunter opposition to use of aerial-1080 poisoning.
Keywords Dama dama; fallow deer; poisoning; sodium
monofluoroacetate; 1080; by-kill
Z03011; Received 21 March 2003; accepted 2 February 2004; Online publication
date 12 May 2004
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2004, Vol. 31: 185-192
0301-4223/04/3102-0185 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004
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