Proceedings of the First Symposium on Marsupials in New Zealand
Current Research and Development of Baits for Aerial Control of the Possum Trichosurus Vulpecula 1 — Abstract
Current Research and Development of Baits for Aerial Control of the Possum Trichosurus Vulpecula 1
Abstract
With the common brushtail possum being regarded increasingly as a pest of great importance, there is emphasis on improved methods of control, particularly by broadcast aerial poisoning. Three aspects of this approach are currently being developed:
1. | Research is aimed at determining the suitability of various baits to different target populations and climatic conditions; |
2. | At the manufacturing level, a pilot plant has been developed to produce experimental quantities of wet-extruded pellet baits; |
3. | At the operational level, new techniques of distribution have been developed by the aviation industry providing for more economical and efficient distribution of baits. |
1 A fuller account of the research topics in this paper is to be found in Branch Report No. 152, Protection Forestry Division, F.R.I., N.Z. Forest Service.