Foxes and feral dogs
The most significant and harmful predators of sheep, foxes and feral dogs, pose an ongoing threat to productivity.
Feral dogs and foxes maim and kill sheep and are responsible for a $33 million loss to woolgrowers every year.
In some areas of Queensland and Western Australia, and along the Great Dividing Range in NSW/Victoria, sheep production is being significantly impacted because of the ongoing damage inflicted by feral dogs.
Dogs and foxes are controlled primarily by baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (known as 1080). 1080 has come under pressure from groups concerned that it does not provide a humane death. AWI has argued strongly for the continued availability of 1080 for predator control because of the lack of suitable alternatives.
As a result, AWI initiated two major projects in feral dog and fox control:
Development of a new canid (dog and fox) toxin
This is a major investment with the Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre. The toxin under investigation causes a rapid and humane death and is highly specific to canids. A commercial product may be launched by 2008.
Development FeralMone, with Pestat Pty Ltd
FeralMone contains abbreviated synthetic fermented egg, a powerful attractant for dogs and foxes which has performed very well in field trials. FeralMone was launched in 2005.
See information about rabbits.
Resources
Contact
Dr Johann Schröder
Program Manager, Animal Health, Productivity and Welfare
Tel: +61 2 8295 3100
Contact via email