Coleman et al.—Pre-feeding benefits possum control

New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

Costs and benefits of pre-feeding for possum control

J. D. Coleman

K. W. Fraser

G. Nugent

Landcare Research
PO Box 40
Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
colemanj@landcareresearch.co.nz

Abstract Four control operations, each with paired pre-feed and no-pre-feed treatments, and comprising two baited with carrot and two with cereal, provided strong support for the hypothesis that pre-feeding produces higher possum kills than no pre-feeding. In these replicates, even where high kills were achieved, the modelled two- to three-fold extension of the period of population depression given by pre-feeding was sufficient to warrant the expense of the additional bait sown. The benefits of pre-feeding were clear-cut, and were greatest where poorest kills were achieved, irrespective of bait type. Pre-feeding is thus likely to reduce the probability of failure and should be considered a form of operational insurance.

Keywords baiting; bioeconomics; pre-feeding; possum; Trichosurus vulpecula; time to re-treatment; vertebrate pest control

Z07007; Online publication date 26 July 2007; Received 28 February 2007; accepted 30 May 2007

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