Baiting of rabbits and invasive rodentsBaiting of rabbits and invasive rodents

Baiting of rabbits and invasive rodents

The susceptibility of the Pookila to 1080, Pindone, and rodenticide has not been tested. However, such poisons are lethal at low doses to some other Pseudomys species and are expected to be lethal to the Pookila (McIlroy 1982; Eisler 1995; Fisher 1999). Running a lethal dose trial on the Pookila is not appropriate given the species’ threatened status and ethical considerations, so it is safest to apply the Precautionary Principle and assume the species is likely susceptible to 1080, Pindone and rodenticide. Rabbit poison baiting is usually conducted with a carrot or oat bait, both foods readily consumed by the Pookila (Prosser et al. 2007), and it is possible that rabbit-baiting programs have contributed to the decline of the species in some areas (Fisher 1999; Burns 2019a). When finding the balance between protecting Pookila habitat by controlling rabbits and potentially poisoning individual Pookila, it is recommended to entirely avoid poison baiting in areas where Pookila presence is known. This is particularly important for at-risk populations; however, it may also apply to locations where Pookila presence is uncertain but these areas are adjacent to suitable habitat and/or a known population (within a 5 km radius). Rabbit and invasive rodent population control measures should use alternative methods. Control measures should be carefully considered depending on the area of control and the potential side effects for native species. Currently, this threat is considered to be high in Wilsons Promontory in Vic, not applicable in Qld or Tas, and unknown in NSW (DNRE Tas 2023).