An Assessment of the Hazard Posed to Northern Quolls (Dasyurus-Hallucatus) by Aerial Baiting With 1080 to Control Dingoes

Abstract

The hazard posed to northern quolls, Dasyurus hallucatus, during aerial baiting programs for the control of dingoes was studied in a pastoral area of Western Australia. The incidence of mortality and the movements of the animals were studied by means of radiotelemetry. Minimum activity areas ranged from 5 to 1109 ha, and the longest movement recorded was 3.5 km over 7 days. All animals could have encountered baits. Mating occurred shortly before baits were laid. The animals subsequently lost condition and body weights were low at the time of baiting. No quolls died in the 2 weeks following the baiting. This suggests that northern quolls and other, theoretically less susceptible, non-target species of mammals in the pastoral areas of Western Australia are not at risk from 1080 aerial baiting programs.