The Effect on Wild Dogs, Canis-F-Familiaris, of 1080-Poisoning Campaigns in Kosciusko-National-Park, Nsw

Abstract

Nine wild dogs, Canis f. familiaris, radio-tracked over periods of 28-61 days in Kosciusko National Park, N.S.W., occupied home ranges of 220-5420 ha (mean 2193 ha). These home ranges were similar in size to those observed for dingoes, C. f. dingo, in other areas of south-eastern Australia. The maximum distance that any of the nine dogs moved between successive daily locations was 11.2 km. On the basis of this information and that obtained by others, we suggest that the control of wild dogs on Crown Land in south-eastern Australia should be confined to those areas adjacent to private grazing land. Furthermore, a control zone 12-20 km wide should be adequate. Two successive trail-baiting campaigns with 1080 poison in March and April 1982 killed only two (22%) of the nine wild dogs carrying radio transmitters. Traps, in comparison, caught 15 out of 27 (56%) of the dogs known to be in the area. The main factors which reduced the success of the poisoning campaign were the rapid loss of toxicity of the baits after their distribution, the rapid rate at which they were removed by other animals, particularly foxes Vulpes vulpes and birds, and the dogs' apparent preference for natural prey.