Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Predator management with a single bait? Use of Eradicat® for the management of feral cats, red foxes and wild dogs simultaneously.

Tracey Kreplins , David Algar

Abstract

Context In Western Australia there are three invasive predators that require management for agriculture and biodiversity protection, feral cats, wild dogs and red foxes. Often these three predators coexist in the same locality, suggesting potential efficacy gains can be made via simultaneous control. Whereas Western Australian native species have evolved a high tolerance to poison baiting (1080), invasive predators have not. Therefore, landscape-scale baiting is commonly used for predator management. Aims Eradicat® baits designed for feral cat control have also been known to be consumed and control wild dogs and foxes. In this trial, we aimed to evaluate Eradicat® as an all-predator bait, determine if there is a preferential time for the use of the bait and assess non-target impact(s) of baiting. Methods We aimed to control all three predators on an agricultural property adjacent to a conservation reserve over 16 months with eight baiting events using Eradicat® as an all-predator bait. Twenty-one Reconyx camera traps monitored some of the baits deployed. Key results A total of 300 baits had a known outcome with minimal uptake by all three predators. Many issues were encountered when working on a smaller-scale including interference with farming activities and management, flash flooding and non-target uptake of the Eradicat® baits. Wetter than anticipated environmental conditions likely increased alternate prey availability, negatively impacting bait uptake. Conclusions More work is required to determine if Eradicat® baits can be used as an all-predator bait.

PC25020  Accepted 11 May 2025

© CSIRO 2025