Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Potential impacts of poison baiting for introduced house mice on native animals on islands in Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Clifford Bennison A , J. Anthony Friend B , Timothy Button B , Harriet Mills A C E , Cathy Lambert D and Roberta Bencini A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, M092, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia

B Science and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, 120 Albany Hwy, Albany, WA 6330, Australia

C Present address: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.

D Native Species Breeding Program, Perth Zoo, 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia

E Corresponding author. Email: Harriet.Mills@ecu.edu.au

Wildlife Research 43(1) 61-68 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR15126
Submitted: 22 June 2015  Accepted: 12 December 2015   Published: 30 March 2016

Abstract

Context: House mice (Mus domesticus) are present on Boullanger and Whitlock islands, Western Australia, and could potentially threaten populations of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) through competition for resources. A workshop in 2007 recommended a study to assess the feasibility of eradicating house mice from the islands by using poison baits and of the risk posed to non-target native species.

Aim: We aimed to assess the risk to non-target native species if poison baiting was used to eradicate house mice on Boullanger and Whitlock islands.

Methods: Non-toxic baits containing the bait marker rhodamine B were distributed on Boullanger Island and on the mouse free Escape Island to determine the potential for primary poisoning. Acceptance of baits by mammals was measured through sampling and analysis of whiskers, and by reptiles through observations of dye in faeces. To determine the potential for secondary exposure to poison, the response of dibblers to mouse carcasses was observed using motion-activated cameras. Bait acceptance was compared using two methods of delivery, namely, scattering in the open and delivery in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. A cafeteria experiment of bait consumption by dibblers was also undertaken using captive animals held at the Perth Zoo. Ten dibblers were offered non-toxic baits containing rhodamine B in addition to their normal meals; consumption of bait and the presence of dye in whiskers were measured.

Key results: Bait acceptance on the islands was high for house mice (92% of individuals) and dibblers (48%) and it was independent of bait-delivery technique. There was no evidence of bait acceptance by grey-bellied dunnarts. Dibblers may consume mice carcasses if available; however, no direct consumption of mice carcasses was observed with movement sensor cameras but one dibbler was observed removing a mouse carcass and taking it away. During the cafeteria experiment, 9 of 10 captive dibblers consumed baits.

Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated that dibblers consume baits readily and island populations would experience high mortality if exposed to poison baits. Poison baiting could effectively eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands but not without mortality for dibblers.

Implications: Toxic baits could be used to eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands, provided that non-target species such as dibblers were temporarily removed from the islands before the application of baits.


References

Bencini, R., McCulloch, C., Mills, H. R., and Start, A. N. (2001). Habitat and diet of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) on two islands in Jurien Bay, Western Australia. Wildlife Research 28, 465–468.
Habitat and diet of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) on two islands in Jurien Bay, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Burbidge, A. A., and McKenzie, N. L. (1989). Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia’s vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications. Biological Conservation 50, 143–198.
Patterns in the modern decline of Western Australia’s vertebrate fauna: causes and conservation implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Campbell, K. J., Beek, J., Eason, C. T., Glen, A. S., Godwin, J., Gould, F., Holmes, N. D., Howald, G. R., Madden, F. M., Ponder, J. B., Threadgill, D. W., Wegmann, A., and Baxter, G. S. (2015). The next generation of rodent eradications: innovative technologies and tools to improve species specificity and increase their feasibility on islands. Biological Conservation 185, 47–58.
The next generation of rodent eradications: innovative technologies and tools to improve species specificity and increase their feasibility on islands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cuthbert, R. J., Visser, P., Louw, H., Rexer-Huber, K., Parker, G., and Ryan, P. G. (2011). Preparations for the eradication of mice from Gough Island: results of bait acceptance trials above ground and around cave systems. Wildlife Research 38, 196–203.
Preparations for the eradication of mice from Gough Island: results of bait acceptance trials above ground and around cave systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dickman, C. R. (1986). Return of the phantom dibbler. Australian Natural History 22, 33.

Eason, C. T., and Spurr, E. B. (1995). Review of the toxicity and impacts of brodifacoum on nontarget wildlife in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 22, 371–379.
Review of the toxicity and impacts of brodifacoum on nontarget wildlife in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Eason, C. T., Murphy, E. C., Wright, G. R. G., and Spurr, E. B. (2002). Assessment of brodifacoum to non-target birds and mammals in New Zealand. Ecotoxicology (London, England) 11, 35–48.
Assessment of brodifacoum to non-target birds and mammals in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fisher, P. M. (1998). Rhodamine B as a marker for the assessment of non-target bait uptake by animals. Department of Natural Resources and Environment Report Series No. 4. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Fisher, P. M. (1999). Review of using Rhodamine B as a marker for wildlife studies. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27, 318–329.

Fleming, P. J. S., Choquenot, D., and Mason, R. J. (2000). Aerial baiting of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) for the control of exotic disease in the semi-arid rangelands of New South Wales. Wildlife Research 27, 531–537.
Aerial baiting of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) for the control of exotic disease in the semi-arid rangelands of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Glen, A. S., and Dickman, C. R. (2003). Effects of bait-station design on the uptake of baits by nontarget animals during control programmes for foxes and wild dogs. Wildlife Research 30, 147–149.
Effects of bait-station design on the uptake of baits by nontarget animals during control programmes for foxes and wild dogs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Glen, A. S., and Dickman, C. R. (2005). Complex interactions among mammalian carnivores in Australia, and their implications for wildlife management. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 80, 387–401.
Complex interactions among mammalian carnivores in Australia, and their implications for wildlife management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16094805PubMed |

Howald, G., Donlan, C. J., Faulkner, K. R., Ortega, S., Gellerman, H., Croll, D. A., and Tershy, B. R. (2010). Eradication of black rats Rattus rattus from Anacapa Island. Oryx 44, 30–40.
Eradication of black rats Rattus rattus from Anacapa Island.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jacob, J., Jones, D. A., and Singleton, G. R. (2002). Retention of the bait marker rhodamine B in house mice. Wildlife Research 29, 159–164.
Retention of the bait marker rhodamine B in house mice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kinnear, J. E., Onus, M. L., and Bromilow, R. N. (1988). Fox control and rock wallaby population dynamics. Australian Wildlife Research 15, 435–450.
Fox control and rock wallaby population dynamics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kinnear, J. E., Sumner, N. R., and Onus, M. L. (2002). The red fox in Australia: an exotic predator turned biocontrol agent. Biological Conservation 108, 335–359.
The red fox in Australia: an exotic predator turned biocontrol agent.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lambert, C., and Mills, H. (2006). Husbandry and breeding of the dibbler Parantechinus apicalis at Perth Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook 40, 290–301.
Husbandry and breeding of the dibbler Parantechinus apicalis at Perth Zoo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lloyd, B. D., and McQueen, S. M. (2000). An assessment of the probability of secondary poisoning of forest insectivores following an aerial 1080 possum control operation. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 24, 47–56.

Mackay, J. W. B., Russell, J. C., and Murphy, E. C. (2007). Eradicating house mice from islands: successes, failures and the way forward. In ‘Proceedings of an International Symposium’. (Eds G. W. Witmer, W. C. Pitt and K. A. Fagerstone.) pp. 294–304. (USDA/APHIS/WS, National Wildlife Research Center: Fort Collins, CO.)

Miller, S., Bencini, R., Mills, H. R., and Moro, D. (2003). Food availability for the dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, on Boullanger and Whitlock Islands, Western Australia. Wildlife Research 30, 649–654.
Food availability for the dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, on Boullanger and Whitlock Islands, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mills, H. R., Moro, D., and Spencer, P. B. (2004). Conservation significance of island versus mainland populations: a case study of dibblers (Paranthecinus apicalis) in Western Australia. Animal Conservation 7, 387–395.
Conservation significance of island versus mainland populations: a case study of dibblers (Paranthecinus apicalis) in Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moro, D. (2002). Comparison of baits and bait stations for the selective control of wild house on Thevenard Island, Western Australia. In ‘Turning the Tide: the Eradication of Invasive Species’. (Eds C. R. Veitch and M. N. Clout.) pp. 213–218. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission 27. IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, New Zealand.

Moro, D. (2003). Translocation of captive-bred dibblers Parantechinus apicalis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) to Escape Island, Western Australia. Biological Conservation 111, 305–315.
Translocation of captive-bred dibblers Parantechinus apicalis (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) to Escape Island, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Morriss, G. A., O’Connor, C. E., Airey, A. T., and Fisher, P. (2008). ‘Factors Influencing Palatability and Efficacy of Toxic Baits in Ship Rats, Norway Rats and House Mice.’ Science for Conservation 282. (Department of Conservation: Wellington, New Zealand.)

Newman, D. G. (1994). Effects of a mouse, Mus musculus, eradication programme and habitat change on lizard populations of Mana Island, New Zealand, with special reference to McGregor’s skink, Cyclodina macgregori. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 21, 443–456.
Effects of a mouse, Mus musculus, eradication programme and habitat change on lizard populations of Mana Island, New Zealand, with special reference to McGregor’s skink, Cyclodina macgregori.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

O’Connor, C. E., and Booth, L. H. (2001). ‘Palatability of Rodent Baits to Wild House Mice.’ Science for Conservation 184. (Department of Conservation: Wellington, New Zealand.)

Parkes, J., Fisher, P., and Forrester, G. (2011). Diagnosing the cause of failure to eradicate introduced rodents on islands: brodifacoum versus diphacinone and method of bait delivery. Conservation Evidence 8, 100–106.

Seddon, P. J., Moro, D., Mitchell, N. J., Chauvenet, A. L. M., and Mawson, P. R. (2015). Proactive conservation or planned invasions? Past, current and future use of assisted colonisation in Australasia. In ‘Advances in Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna’. (Eds P. D. Armstrong, M. W. Hayward, D. Moro and P. J. Seddon.) pp. 105–125. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Short, J., and Smith, A. (1994). Mammal decline and recovery in Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 75, 288–297.
Mammal decline and recovery in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Start, A. N., Moro, D., Adams, M., and Bencini, R. (2006). Dunnarts from Boullanger Island: new evidence and reassessment of a taxonomic issue with resource implications. Australian Mammalogy 28, 51–58.
Dunnarts from Boullanger Island: new evidence and reassessment of a taxonomic issue with resource implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stewart, A. G. (2006). Dibblers on the Jurien islands: the influence of burrowing seabirds and the potential for competition from other species. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Western Australia, Perth.

Stewart, A. G., Bencini, R., Bradshaw, D., and Friend, J. A. (2004). Water and sodium turnovers of dibblers (Parantechinus apicalis) and house mice (Mus domesticus) on islands in Jurien Bay. In ‘Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference’, Tanunda, South Australia, 5–8 July 2004. (Ed. V. Weisbecker.) 39.

Stewart, A. G., Bencini, R., Bradshaw, D., and Friend, J. A. (2005). Population dynamics of an endangered marsupial (Parantechinus apicalis) and feral house mice (Mus domesticus) on the Jurien Bay Islands in Western Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the Australian Mammal Society Conference’, Albany, Western Australia, 4–8 July 2005. 15. (Ed. V. Weisbecker.)

Thomas, B. W., and Taylor, R. H. (2002). A history of ground-based rodent eradication techniques developed in New Zealand, 1959–1993. In ‘Turning the Tide: the Eradication of Invasive Species’. (Eds C. R. Veitch and M. N. Clout.) pp. 301–310. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission 27. IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, New Zealand.

Wanless, R. M., Fisher, P., Cooper, J., Parkes, J., Ryan, P. G., and Slabber, M. (2008). Bait acceptance by house mice: an island field trial. Wildlife Research 35, 806–811.
Bait acceptance by house mice: an island field trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams, K., Parer, I., Coman, B., Burley, J., and Braysher, M. (1995). ‘Managing Vertebrate Pests: Rabbits.’ (Bureau of Resource Sciences and CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.)

Wolfe, K. M., Mills, H. R., Garkaklis, M. J., and Bencini, R. (2004). Post-mating survival in a small marsupial is associated with nutrient inputs from seabirds. Ecology 85, 1740–1746.
Post-mating survival in a small marsupial is associated with nutrient inputs from seabirds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |