New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Development of a toxic bait for control of ferrets (Mustela furo)
in New Zealand
Eric B. Spurr
Shaun C. Ogilvie*
Chris W. Morse
James B. Young*
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
spurre@landcareresearch.co.nz
*Present addresses:
S. C. Ogilvie, Bioprotection and Ecology Division, Lincoln
University, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand.
J. B. Young, Succession Ltd, 61A Tarawera Tce, St Heliers,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract Ferrets (Mustela furo) are
introduced pests in New Zealand, and there is an urgent need for an
effective toxic bait for their control. Fish paste was identified as a
potential bait, and sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) and diphacinone as
potential toxicants. The acute oral LD50 of 1080 was already
known. The acute oral LD50 of diphacinone in fish paste to
ferrets was determined as 21.4 mg/kg. In a field trial with 0.015%
1080 in fish paste, in February (late summer) 1997, all four
radio-collared ferrets detected in the poison area more than 20% of the
time died, and their muscle tissue contained 0.20–1.86 mg/kg of
1080. In a field trial with 0.03% diphacinone in fish paste, in March
(early autumn) 1997, all 19 radio-collared ferrets detected in the
poison area more than 20% of the time died. The livers of 17 ferrets
analysed contained 2.0–46.0 mg/kg of diphacinone. In a second
field trial with 0.03% diphacinone in fish paste, in July (mid winter)
1997, only five (29%) of 17 radio-collared ferrets died. The livers of
four ferrets analysed contained 3.8–10.0 mg/kg of diphacinone. It
was not possible to determine whether the lower success in the second
diphacinone field trial was a result of season or site differences
because the trials were unreplicated. Nevertheless, as a consequence of
these results, fish-paste bait containing 0.03% diphacinone is now
commercially available in New Zealand.
Keywords baits; ferrets; Mustela furo;
toxins; vertebrate pest control
Z04029; Received 9 August 2004; accepted 3 February 2005; Online
publication date 13 May 2005
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2005, Vol. 32: 127–136
0301–4223/05/3202–0127 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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