Controlling introduced predators in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia
Controlling introduced predators in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia
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DOI：
10.1016/s0140-1963(02)00317-8
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发表时间：
2003-12-01
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Liddelow, G
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Burrows, ND;Algar, D;Liddelow, G
澳洲野狗（Canis lupus dingo）、狐狸（Vulpes Vulpes）和野猫（Felis catus）这三种引进的食肉动物广泛分布于西澳大利亚的内陆地区。虽然澳洲野狗已经存在了大约3500-4000年，但狐狸和野猫相对来说是最近才出现的，它们与现代地区动物，特别是中型哺乳动物的减少和某些情况下的灭绝有关。本文报道了一项长期的、大规模的项目，旨在开发这些引进捕食者的控制策略。在吉布森沙漠使用40-60克浸渍了有毒的单氟乙酸钠（1080）的干肉诱饵，并用飞机以5公里（-2）的密度投放，大面积控制狐狸和野狗，证明是非常有效的。经过一次长达1600公里(2)的空中诱饵，在长达15个月的时间里，狐狸和野狗几乎从一个核心地区被消灭了，但野猫的数量似乎有所增加。在降雨量低于平均水平期间，使用小型（约30克）鲜肉诱饵（为吸引野猫而研制）进行两次空中诱捕（每400公里(2)），当以10公里和22公里（-2）的密度投放诱饵时，估计分别使野猫的数量减少75%和100%。在高于平均降雨量期间进行的第三次空中诱捕密度为1 / 2公里（-2），在诱捕后3个月进行调查时，只使野猫密度减少了25%。诱食密度、频率和季节是影响诱食对野猫种群影响的主要因素。初步研究表明，在这种环境下，野猫的活动范围从700公顷到1200公顷不等。爬行动物和小型本地哺乳动物是野猫的主要食物，这些食物丰度的季节性变化可能会影响诱饵的吸收。这些观察结果对控制策略具有重要意义。版权所有：爱思唯尔科学有限公司版权所有。
Three introduced predators, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo), the fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the feral cat (Felis catus) are widespread throughout the and interior of Western Australia. While the dingo has been present for an estimated 3500-4000 years, the fox and the feral cat are relatively recent arrivals and have been implicated in the modern decline and in some cases extinction of and zone fauna, especially medium size mammals. This paper reports on a long-term, large-scale project aimed at developing control strategies for these introduced predators. Broad area control of foxes and dingoes in the Gibson Desert using 40-60g dried meat baits impregnated with the poison sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) and delivered by aircraft at a density of 5 baits km(-2) proved to be highly effective. Following a single aerial baiting of some 1600 km(2), foxes and dingoes were virtually eradicated from a core area for up to 15 months, but feral cats appeared to increase in abundance. Two aerial baitings (each 400 km(2)) carried out during periods of below average rainfall using a small (about 30 g) fresh meat bait developed to be attractive to feral cats reduced their abundance by an estimated 75% and 100% when baits were delivered at a density of 10 and 22 km(-2), respectively. A third aerial baiting at a density of I I baits km(-2) carried out during a period of above average rainfall reduced feral cat density by only 25% when surveyed 3 months after baiting. Baiting density, frequency and season are key factors likely to affect the impact of baiting on feral cat populations. Preliminary studies reveal that the home range of feral cats in this environment varies from about 700 to 1200 ha. Reptiles and small native mammals form the major dietary items of feral cats and the seasonal variation in abundance of these items is likely to affect bait uptake. These observations have important implications for control strategies. Crown Copyright (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.