The effectiveness of a large-scale baiting campaign and an evaluation of a buffer zone strategy for fox control

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Thomson ◽  
N. J. Marlow ◽  
K. Rose ◽  
N. E. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
High Level ◽  
Fox Control

The effectiveness of a baiting campaign against red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated in a rangeland area near Carnarvon, Western Australia. An area of 3180 km2 was aerially baited with dried meat baits containing 3 mg 1080 poison (5 baits km–2) in August 1995. All 45 radio-collared foxes monitored in the area were killed by baits. More than half the radio-collared foxes died within 3 days of baits being laid; the last surviving radio-collared fox died 44 days after baits were laid. The overall population reduction was estimated to be >95%. Further implications of this high level of bait uptake are discussed in relation to immunocontraceptive control of foxes, as well as for population reduction or vaccination of foxes to control rabies. Reinvasion of the baited area occurred mainly in autumn, when juvenile foxes were dispersing. The relevance of this result is discussed in relation to developing more effective baiting strategies. As part of another experiment, outer sections of the baited area were periodically re-baited as a buffer zone to reduce immigration by foxes into the central baited area; the buffer baiting proved to be very effective in preventing recolonisation of the entire baited area.

The fate of dried meat baits laid for fox control: the effects of bait presentation on take by foxes and non-target species, and on caching by foxes

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Thomson ◽  
N. E. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Lower Proportion ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Fox Control

Non-toxic, dried meat baits (45 g) containing small radio-transmitters were laid on cleared sandplots in mixed farming and grain-growing areas in Western Australia. Baits were either buried, tethered by wire trace to a hidden peg, or simply laid untethered on the surface. Baits were exposed for 1 night only and new transects were established each day. Data were available on 1521 baits. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) visited 23% of plots and took baits from 64% of those visited. Unburied baits (both tethered and untethered) were taken significantly more frequently than the buried baits. Of all baits taken by foxes, 25% were cached. Foxes were more likely to cache buried baits than either tethered or untethered baits. Excluding baits taken to cubs, foxes cached baits 3–380 m (mean 87�m) from their original locations. Some baits were carried to cub dens up to 1.25�km away. The fate of 27�cached baits was monitored for varying periods. Of these baits, 59% were later eaten by foxes, most within 3�days. Non-target species took 3% of the baits on offer. Birds were the most common non-target animals to take baits, and in some cases dropped baits up to 400 m away. In terms of takes relative to visits, most takes by birds were of the untethered baits (88%, cf. 33% for tethered, 17% for buried baits). Compared with other baits, a significantly lower proportion of the untethered baits that were taken by birds was actually eaten. Baits cached by foxes and baits moved by birds represent a potential hazard to farm dogs and vulnerable fauna. Recommendations on bait presentation, distance restrictions, and likely risk to farm dogs and non-target species are discussed.

The uptake of dried meat baits by foxes and investigations of baiting rates in Western Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Thomson ◽  
D. Algar
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Oral Vaccination ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
Large Scale Field

The uptake of dried meat baits by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was measured in large-scale field trials using non-toxic baits containing the biomarker tetracycline. Baits were aerially delivered at nominal baiting rates of 5 baits km–2 (4 sites) and 10 baits km–2 (3 sites). The proportion of sampled adult foxes that had consumed the bio-marked baits ranged from 62 to 88% (mean 79.5%). Uptake of baits did not increase at the higher baiting rate. Bait uptake at the levels recorded in these trials would result in effective reductions in fox populations exposed to toxic baits. Bait uptake would have been sufficient to prevent the spread of rabies within fox populations at the densities occurring during the study, either by population reduction or in conjunction with oral vaccination.

scholarly journals Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Scandinavia: Implications for the Potential Future Spread of Echinococcus multilocularis Tapeworm

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5289
Author(s):  
Mari Hagenlund ◽  
Arne Linløkken ◽  
Kjartan Østbye ◽  
Zea Walton ◽  
Morten Odden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Wildlife Management ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
High Level

Knowledge about the dispersal and gene flow patterns in wild animals are important for our understanding of population ecology and the connectedness of populations. It is also important for management relating to disease control and the transmission of new and emerging diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the genetic structuring among comparative samples of red foxes in a small part of Scandinavia and to estimate the gene flow and potential directionality in the movements of foxes using an optimized set of microsatellite markers. We compared genetic samples of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two areas in Sweden and two areas in Norway, including red fox samples from areas where the occurrence of the cyclophyllic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has been documented, and areas without known occurrence of the parasite. Our results show a high level of gene flow over considerable distances and substantiates migration from areas affected with E. multilocularis into Norway where the parasite is not yet detected. The results allow us to better understand the gene flow and directionality in the movement patterns of red foxes, which is important for wildlife management authorities regarding the spread of E. multilocularis.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of 1080 Poisoning of Red Foxes Using Visitation to Non-Toxic Baits as an Index of Fox Abundance.

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Thompson ◽  
PJS Fleming
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Index Method ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Abundance Indices ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Fox Control

Visits of foxes to non-toxic baits were used to derive fox abundance indices at 4 sites in north-eastern New South Wales. A 1080 (sodium fluoracetate) poisoning campaign resulted in a mean population reduction of 69.5% (s.d. = 4.9). Fox densities before baiting, calculated using the index-removal-index method, ranged from 4.55 to 7.16 foxes km-2. Visitation to non-toxic baits is recommended as a reliable estimate of relative density. This study investigated the efficacy of 1080 baiting as a technique for the control of foxes in tableland environments. The implications of the estimated fox densities and population reductions on fox control in agricultural areas and in the context of rabies are discussed.

Factors associated with fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation of lambs in Britain

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Moberly ◽  
Piran C. L. White ◽  
Charlotte C. Webbon ◽  
Philip J. Baker ◽  
Stephen Harris
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Flock Size ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Regional Location ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fox Control

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are believed to have an economic impact on farming through predation on lambs, poultry and game. Investigation of the causes behind variation in the impact of predation between farms is required to improve management of these problems. A questionnaire survey of sheep farmers was combined with field data on relative fox population abundance to investigate some of the factors associated with both the occurrence and scale of perceived fox predation in Britain. Reported lamb losses to foxes were generally low but there was a large range in perceived levels of predation, from 0.0008 to 0.26 lambs per ewe, with 59% of respondents reporting that they had lost at least one lamb to a fox at their most recent lambing. Flock size was an important factor determining perceived fox predation. Fox predation was more likely to have occurred on larger farms, but, when it did, fewer lambs were perceived lost per ewe. Various other non-management characteristics, including regional location, had an influence on fox predation. Fox abundance was positively associated with perceived predation. Indoor lambing was an important preventive measure against fox predation. However, the effect of fox control on livestock predation was difficult to determine because of potential reactive behaviour by farmers to lamb losses. The analyses indicate that multivariate rather than univariate techniques should be used in the assessment of predator impacts and in making management recommendations. The identification of farm characteristics associated with fox predation, such as location and indoor lambing, enables the potential identification of problem farms where preventive management should be targeted.

Estimated 1080 dose rate for the M-44 ejector for the control of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Marks ◽  
F. Gigliotti ◽  
F. Busana
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Fox Control ◽  
Target Effects

Recent studies have suggested that bait movement and caching by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) may increase the potential risk of off-target effects from 1080 meat baits close to urban habitats. The M-44 ejector is an alternative way to deliver 1080 to foxes that will eliminate bait movement and caching. Whilst the M-44 ejector has been used for the control of foxes using cyanide in the United States, we investigated its use with 1080 as a toxicant. Exotic eutherian carnivores are generally more sensitive to 1080 than are most Australian endemic wildlife species, yet no useful difference in sensitivity to cyanide exists for these groups. The lower risk associated with occupational exposure to 1080 compared with cyanide suggests that it is a more desirable toxicant for fox control. Pen trials were undertaken in order to establish an appropriate capsule dose of 1080 to be used in the ejector. A minimum capsule dose of 2.7 mg of 1080 is estimated to be consistently lethal to foxes weighing up to 8.3 kg. The recommended dose is below the current meat bait dose of 3.0 mg 1080 used in Victoria. This may represent an improvement in occupational safety and a reduction in non-target risk.

Evaluation of attractants and bait preferences of captive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Saunders ◽  
Stephen Harris
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Chemical Attractants ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Fox Control ◽  
Rabies Vaccination

The development of bait types, additives such as synthetic flavours, and attractants for use in fox control and rabies vaccination programmes is briefly reviewed. A captive colony was used to establish bait preferences for foxes. A variety of bait types and additives were screened for this purpose. The potential of chemical attractants to enhance the discovery of baits by foxes was also examined. Gustatory additives, such as beef flavour and sugar, enhanced bait acceptance, and olfactory attractants such as synthetic fermented egg showed promise. Trials using captive animals allow for observations impossible under field conditions. However, field trials are also needed to determine whether behavioural responses of free-ranging animals are similar to those observed in captive individuals.

Social inequality in the evolution of human societies

2019 ◽  
pp. 98-120
Author(s):  
Georgi Derluguian
Keyword(s):  
Social Inequality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Mass Violence ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Tangible Assets ◽  
Transition To Agriculture ◽  
New Institutions ◽  
High Level ◽  
Political Economic

The author develops ideas about the origin of social inequality during the evolution of human societies and reflects on the possibilities of its overcoming. What makes human beings different from other primates is a high level of egalitarianism and altruism, which contributed to more successful adaptability of human collectives at early stages of the development of society. The transition to agriculture, coupled with substantially increasing population density, was marked by the emergence and institutionalisation of social inequality based on the inequality of tangible assets and symbolic wealth. Then, new institutions of warfare came into existence, and they were aimed at conquering and enslaving the neighbours engaged in productive labour. While exercising control over nature, people also established and strengthened their power over other people. Chiefdom as a new type of polity came into being. Elementary forms of power (political, economic and ideological) served as a basis for the formation of early states. The societies in those states were characterised by social inequality and cruelties, including slavery, mass violence and numerous victims. Nowadays, the old elementary forms of power that are inherent in personalistic chiefdom are still functioning along with modern institutions of public and private bureaucracy. This constitutes the key contradiction of our time, which is the juxtaposition of individual despotic power and public infrastructural one. However, society is evolving towards an ever more efficient combination of social initiatives with the sustainability and viability of large-scale organisations.

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