Wild dogs and foxes sniff trouble in the air
Landowners and managers now have another weapon in their fight to control fox and wild dog predation on livestock and wildlife with the release of a synthetic attractant to assist in baiting and trapping campaigns.
Synthetic fermented egg or ‘SFE’ was first developed in the United States and is known to be effective in attracting a number of canids including wolves, coyotes, wild dogs and foxes to bait or trap sites.
According to Dr David Dall, Managing Director of Pestat Ltd, (the commercialisation arm of the Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre), the CRC has developed a practical delivery system for SFE, which will be distributed by Animal Control Technologies under the FeralMone™ brand.
"SFE has not been widely used because its smell was repulsive to humans and there was no easy or safe application method without contaminating the user."
"Following lengthy discussions and trialling, Pestat has managed to package SFE in an aerosol can, making application quick, clean and highly effective in the field," Dr Dall said. Dr Dall explained that FeralMone™ trials conducted over the last 12 months by the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were highly successful.
"The aerosol can makes FeralMone™ a more practical tool to attract wild dogs and foxes, while minimising handling problems," Dr Dall said.
"From the trials we have had reports from trappers who are very impressed with the product and have been able to deal with trap-shy and hard to catch dogs and foxes."
NPWS Queanbeyan Ranger Rob Hunt conducted the trials and reported a significant increase in site visits and bait takes by wild dog and foxes when using FeralMone™.
"The can presentation of FeralMone™ made it easy to deliver a dose of scent at each site."
"We found it highly effective at getting wild dogs and foxes to visit both trap and bait sites," Mr Hunt said.
Mr Hunt also explained that the shelf stable nature of FeralMone™ was a real step forward for land managers dealing with the impacts of wild dogs and foxes.
Dr Dall explained that Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) has underwritten Pestat to undertake the first production run of FeralMone™ cans which are being distributed through ACTA.
"ACTA has extensive experience in developing and successfully bringing to market cutting edge technologies for the control of broadacre vertebrate pests."
"Responsible for products such as FOXOFF® Fox Bait and DOGGONE® Wild Dog Bait, ACTA will be distributing FeralMone™ through their distribution networks to major rural merchant outlets, pest control authorities and contractors," he said.
Dr Dall explained that FeralMone™ would be available to landholders to assist with their baiting and trapping programs without the need for licences or special permits.
AWI Animal Health and Welfare Project Manager Dr Scott Williams said FeralMone™ was good news for woolgrowers who lose more than $33 million a year in sheep and wool production due to wild dog and fox attacks.
For more information about FeralMone™, contact Animal Control Technologies on (03) 9308 9688 or email: enquiries@animalcontrol.com.au or Pestat at http:\\www.pestat.com.au.
