Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Volume 3 Number 3 March, 1962 Article 9

1-1-1962

Vermin control research in Western Australia 1952-1962

C D. Gooding

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Recommended Citation Gooding, C D. (1962) "Vermin control research in Western Australia 1952-1962," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 3 : No. 3 , Article 9. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol3/iss3/9

This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Vermin Control

Research in

Western Australia

1952-1962

C. D. Gooding, B.Sc. (Agric), reviews the first 10 years of vermin control research work in Western Australia.

Weighing a trapped Sandy Wallaby during a tagging campaign on Liveringa Station in the West Kimberleys. All animals are sexed and weighed alter trapping

rriEN years ago this month the Agriculture Protection Board of Western Australia •*- began setting up a section within its Vermin Control Branch to tackle some of the scientific aspects of vertebrate pest control.

With the appointment of a research While it is impossible to make a financial officer the Agriculture Protection Board estimate of the cost of vermin species to was the first State Authority to officially Australian agriculture, the often-quoted figure of £50,000,000 saving in one year recognise the need for a scientific ap­ due to the effects of myxomatosis under­ praisal and attack on the pest animals lines the importance of controlling fauna and birds of Australia, to provide a more —both native and introduced—which effective basis for large-scale vermin each year take a heavy toll of our agri­ control work. cultural and pastoral production. 215 Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 Camps such as this are "home" to members of the Vermin Research Section on field work In the outback. This Is a camp often used In the Wiluna area

It had become obvious since the forma­ • To conduct experiments and field tion of the old "Rabbit Department" that trials on vermin control. the existing pattern of inspection and prosecution was not controlling rabbits, • To test substances and applications and in 1945 the Royal Commission on being used or sold for vermin control vermin foreshadowed the setting up of a purposes. semi-independent body to be called the • To co-operate with C.S.I.R.O. workers Agriculture Protection Board, with wide in research into the habits of animal powers of centralised control, to take over and bird pests. responsibility for vermin control work in Much of the early work of the section this State. was concerned with developing new tech­ One of the Board's functions was to niques, and preliminary observation work carry out research into methods of con­ needed to obtain a working knowledge of trolling vertebrate pests, and to base the animal and bird pests being investi­ control work on the findings of its gated. Many of these hastily gathered research section. Its formation in 1951 observations and findings have since been was soon followed by the appointment of borne out by more intensive studies by the a research officer (the author of this C.S.I.R.O. Wildlife Survey Section—which article) and two technicians. One of section, incidentally, also provided many these was Mr. L. A. Harrison, who is still basic research findings on which local in this section; the other position is now research could be based. held by Mr. J. L. Long. In 1953 a third The first major problems tackled by the technician was appointed to work on the West Australian Agriculture Protection kangaroo problem, a position now held by Board's Vermin Control Research Section Mr. L. P. Strugnell, based at Wiluna. The were: total staff of the section rose to five when Vermin Control Officer C. E. Hadley was • The control of the Sandy Wallaby in seconded to help with the growing volume the Kimberley region, and of field work associated with rabbit con­ • Plotting and recording of myxomatosis trol experiments over the past two years. outbreaks in Western Australia. The proposed functions of the newly The first project was considered com­ formed research section were: plete in 1954 when large scale poisoning trials were carried out along the Fitzroy • To carry out research on the control frontage country during which a kill of of animal and bird fauna which were more than 90 per cent, was obtained, over already vermin, or could become 15 miles. Pastoralists were, however loath pests. to use the findings and it was not until 216 Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 SQUARE-SHOULDERED DUNLOP SUPER GRIP TRACTOR TYRE It's wider, deeper, for greater grip New built-in traction right through the tyre costs not one penny extra! At the old price you get a tyre with a super super rayon casing that's 30% stronger than before. Treads are 27^96 deeper than before, tread bars are thicker than before and now the famous self-cleaning crescent pattern goes right across the full width of the tyre. See new Dunlop Super Grip at any Dunlop Dealer now.

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Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 rice residues (for baits) became available relieved of the onerous and time consum­ in fairly large quantities from the Liver- ing furrow cutting and free feeding. inga rice project, that the methods Experimental results have been very advocated in 1954 were put into practice. encouraging and it is hoped that within a The myxomatosis plotting work later few years all rabbit poisoning work in progressed to vector sampling, the collec­ Western Australia will be based on this tion of tissue samples for the Australian method. National University and eventually to "One Shot Baiting" is based on a forecasting and advising on suitable sites locally-developed vacuum impregnation and times for the initiation of new virus technique which puts enough poison to dissemination campaigns. This work kill each rabbit into a single oat grain. virtually came to an end when, in 1955-56, the virus quickly completed its colonisa­ Other rabbit work carried out by the tion of nearly all the rabbit infested areas Vermin Control Research Section consists of the State, following the very heavy of routine pasture sampling to determine summer rains of February, 1955. Statewide trends in population levels, poisons testing on a laboratory scale, trials of substances suspected of being RABBITS rabbit repellents and some research into Before the completion of the above breeding and the population structure. projects, attention was being turned to the rabbit in a more direct and practical manner. Experimental work, started in 1954, resulted in the initiation of 1080 rabbit poisoning by mobile teams in 1956 (just 11 years after the Royal Commission had recommended this approach in its report). This remains as our main offensive weapon against the rabbit and initially met with outstanding success throughout the State. At present, about 11,000 hours of poisoning work are being carried out annually for farmers and local authorities. This represents over 27,000 miles of poisoned furrow and well over 200,000 miles travelled by the 40 poisoning units each year. It soon became obvious that there were some inherent weaknesses in this method of applying 1080, the chief one being that the two most important phases of the work— namely furrow placement and free feeding—were being left in the hands of the landholder, who in only a few cases, was sufficiently concerned by the problem to carry the work out satisfactorily. In most cases the free feeding was cut short and furrows badly placed, resulting in a marked deterioration in the percentage kills obtained. With this background, work began on what has become known as "One Shot Baiting", (now in the proving stages) Carrot and apple bait has often been used for rabbit which results in a good kill by the single poisoning tests. One of the drawbacks with this bale simultaneous application of both free feed is that it must be laid by hand, sometimes even on foot. This picture was taken at Manjlmup in 1955 and poison. In this way the farmer is when "1080" poison was first being used

Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 Dingoes used for the cross breeding experiments with domestic dogs. Dingoes bred in captivity are easily tamed and make tractable pets, but we were never able to make friends with their cross bred offspring

WILD DOGS quescent (water absorbing) substance is Work on cross breeding of dingoes and also incorporated to keep the bait from domestic dogs was initiated soon after the drying out. The one remaining factor section was established. Dingoes were still requiring attention is that of ant held in captivity and mated with domestic repellency. Meat ants are attracted to dogs. The resulting progeny were fully these baits and can quickly devour a whole fertile and were capable of breeding with bait. As soon as an "anti-ant" factor has other crossbreds and also with both been located and tested the bait will be dingo and domestic dogs alike. This indicated that the dingo is just another released to the general public. The cost variety of the domestic dog and not a of making these baits is such that they separate species, a fact which had been can successfully compete with the con­ suspected, but not scientifically verified. ventional baits. Following this, the captive dingo (and cross bred) colony was used extensively for bait media testing. Numerious carrier FOXES substances were checked for palatibility, The wild dog bait will also be eminently keeping qualities, and so on. suited to fox control, but being of a This work has resulted in the develop­ permanent nature, will be restricted in its ment of a satisfactory dog and fox bait application. Mucn time and work has which is more palatible than the baits now been devoted to the search for a fox used, and which is also much more dur­ bait of limited durability, but as yet able, being resistant to both fungal and nothing entirely satisfactory has been bacterial breakdown. A palatible deli­ devised. 220 Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 Observations on Emus watering and feeding were the basis for control experiments which led to satisfactory method of poisoning these birds. The picture was taken near Port Hedland in 1955

Work is also planned to assess the fox's available then and the birds have no true position as an agricultural and necessity to search for it. If they pastoral pest. This will at first involve an accidentally find a heap of free feed grain extensive food analysis study under West they will eat it, but they will make no Australia conditions. effort to seek out the same heap again. Under these conditions, poisoning is very haphazard and results are poor. We have not found anything the emu prefers to EMUS ripening cereal grain and this factor The Agriculture Protection Board, by its alone makes poisoning very difficult when present extensive fence building pro­ cereal grain is present. gramme, has successfully divided the Water poisoning techniques are at emu problem into two very distinct phases. present receiving attention but these do For years emu problems have been not offer much hope of success until well referred to as either due to migratory or into the summer when the heat becomes resident populations. The migratory prob­ intense. At that stage the damage has lem has been largely overcome by enclos­ been done and the farmer is not so anxi­ ing the arable farming areas of the ous to carry out control measures. State within an emu-resistant barrier. The problem of resident birds still remains and has been tackled by the Research Section. Work to date clearly GALAHS AND OTHER BIRD PESTS shows that emus can be controlled within Some work has been done on galah the fence system by baiting with cereal poisoning and attention is now being grain during the winter months. If the turned to the parrot problems in orchards. population can be reduced over a wide The C.S.I.R.O. has appointed an officer to area during that time, very little damage work on black cockatoos and we have will occur to the following crop. assisted him in the collection of data on Unfortunately, there appears to be little these birds. likelihood of a satisfactory poisoning Some work on crow repellency was method being devised for use at harvest attempted but without much success. time. There is an abundance of food Other work is planned to examine various 221 Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 Trapping yard being erected around a dam on Quanbun Station, Fltzroy Crossing, In 1954 bird repellents for use both on orchards Australia with the collection and trans­ and around houses and commercial build­ portation of live kangaroos. The C.S.I.R.O. ings. has initiated ecological and physiological work on the Marloo (Red Kangaroo) on a large scale and a close liaison is being KANGAROOS maintained with that body to further the Mention was made earlier of the work control of this vertebrate pest animal. on the Sandy Wallaby in the Kimberley region. Following this, our efforts were redirected towards the Marloo problem, OTHER PESTS which exists over most of the pastoral From time to time the Research Section areas of Western Australia. Work to is called in to investigate specific problems determine lethal dosages of poison and associated with animals or birds which amounts of water drunk have been carried may be a nuisance in one way or another. out. One such example is the Quokka on Some sideline investigations have also Rottnest Island, which at one stage was been followed through, including an seriously hampering the reafforestation investigation of Lumpy Jaw disease and programme at the settlement. Various the possible effect of wholesale kangaroo repellents were tested without success and poisoning on sheep flocks due to accidental the Island authorities had to revert to poisoning with Botulinus toxin found in enclosing each tree within a wire netting the decomposing carcasses of dead kan­ guard. Further assistance was given garoos. During the course of this study recently in the attempted development of the presence of natural botulism losses a quokka proof "cattle pit." in several sheep flocks in the Wiluna dis­ The "assistance to other organisations" trict has been demonstrated. programme has also involved: As part of a policy to assist other bodies working on similar problems, the section (a) the collection of dingo skins and has assisted the University of Western skulls for the West Australian Museum. 222

Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962 3. A Kangaroo Disease by A. R. Tomllnson & C. D. (b) The collection of data on the dis­ Gooding. Vol. 3 (third series) No. 6 Noy-Dec. 1954. tribution of introduced animals (gone 4. Rabbit Control with 1080 by A. R. Tomllnson, C. E. wild) for the W.A. Museum. Marshall & C. D. Gooding. Vol. 3 (third series) No. 6 Nov.-Dec. 1954. 5. The Vermin Bonus System In W.A. by C. D. (c) Collection of myxomatosis tissue Gooding. Vol. 4 (third series) No. 1 July-Aug. samples for the Australian National 1955. University. 6. Trapping Yards for Kangaroos by C. D. Gooding & L. A. Harrison. Vol. 4 (third series) No. 6. Nov.-Dec. 1954. (d) Collection of rabbit breeding data 7. Rabbit Damage to Pastures by C. D. Gooding. Vol. for the C.S.I.R.O. 4 (third series) No. 6 Nov.-Dec. 1955. 8. The New Approach to Rabbit Poisoning by A. R. Tomliason, C. E. Marshall and C. D. Gooding. Vol. Despite the diversity of the problems 5 (third series) No. 1 Jan.-Feb. 1956. tackled and the necessarily extensive 9. Rabbits in the Karri Country by C. D. Gooding & W. J. Rooney. Vol. 5 (third series) No. 2 Mar.-Apr. approach by a limited staff, the first 10 1956. years of work by the Vermin Control 10. The Kimberley Wallaby Menace m by C. D. Gooding & J. L. Long. Vol. 7 (third series) No. Research Unit has been successful. It is 2 Mar.-Apr. 1958. hoped that future work will be of a more 11. Emus in the Northern Wheatbelt by C. D. Gooding 6 J. L. Long. Vol. 8 (third series) No. 4 July- intensive nature on fewer problems. Aug. 1959. 12. Preliminary Investigation into the Control of the There seems to be a growing realisation Emu In Northern Wheatbelt of W.A. by C. D. of the importance of applied research Gooding & J. L. Long. Vol. 8 (third series) No. into vertebrate pest control—an approach 6 Nov.-Dec. 1959. 13. Rats & Mice and Their Control by C. D. Gooding similar to that which has long been ac­ & J. L. Long. Vol. 1 (fourth series) No. 10 Oct.- cepted in the insect pest control field. This 1960. 14. Galah Poisoning by J. L. Long & F. Vagg. Vol. 1 has been borne out since the establishment (fourth series) No. 12 Dec. 1960. of the local Vermin Control Research 15. An Improved Method of Utilising Strychnine in the Preparation of Dingo and Fox Baits, by L. A. Unit by similar developments in the Harrison. Vol. 2 (fourth series) No. 5 May, 1961. Victorian Lands Department, the Northern 16. Poisoning Rabbits from the Air by C. D. Gooding. Territory Administration, and recently Vol. 2 (fourth series) No. 6 June 1961. 17. Control of the Emu by C. D. Gooding & J. L. Long. in the New Zealand Department of Vol. 2 (fourth series) No. 8 August 1961. Agriculture. JOURNAL AUST. INST. AGRIC. SCIENCE: 18. Some Fluctuations within Rabbit Populations in W.A. by C. D. Gooding & J. L. Long. Vol. 23 No. 4 December, 1957. REFERENCES 19. The Use of Botullnus Toxin as a Poison for Work Published by the Vermin Control Kangaroo (Marloo) Control in W.A. by C. D. Research Section Gooding Vol. 25 No. 2 June 1959. JOURNAL OP AGRICULTURE OP W.A.: C.S.I.R.O. WILDLIFE RESEARCH: 1. The Wallaby in the Klmberleys I by C. D. Gooding 20. Myxomatosis in W.A. by J. H. Calaby, A. R. & L. A. Harrison. Vol. 2 (3rd. series) May-June Tomllnson & C. D. Gooding. Vol. 5 No. 2 1960. 1953. 2. The Wallaby Menace in the Klmberleys n by A. R. THE EMU: Tomllnson. C. D. Gooding & L. A. Harrison. Vol. 3 21. Some Notes on the Emu in the Northern Wheat- (third series) No. 5 Sept.-Oct. 1954. belt of W A. by J. L. Long. Vol. 59 Nov. 1959.

GRASSHOPPER SPRAYING CAMPAIGN During last year's grasshopper spraying season six Agriculture Pro­ tection Board units were in operation in the Eastern Wheatbelt. During the season 585 hours' spraying was carried out. This is equivalent to about 37,000 acres of solid spraying. However, as most of the spraying carried out was strip spraying the area treated was about 150,000 acres. • The six units used 1,370 gallons of dieldrin concentrate and approxi­ mately 650 gallons were issued to shire councils. As in past seasons, the results of this spraying were considered satis­ factory as very little crop damage by hoppers was reported. —J 223 Journal of Agriculture Vol 3 No 3, 1962