Two new solutions, for feral dogs and foxes, have entered the market thanks to a collaborative effort involving the Australian government.
The fight to stop the widespread damage to agriculture and the environment caused by wild dogs and foxes will be fortified with launch of two new poison baits – Dogabait and Foxecute.
These bait products are the result of a major collaborative research and development investment between Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA), Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and the Australian government through the Invasive Animals CRC and signifies the first new predator toxin in 50 years, since 1080 was released on the market.
The new baits contain a chemical toxin called para-amino propiophenone (PAPP), which causes a targeted and quick death to wild dogs and foxes when consumed. Unlike other predator toxins, these new PAPP bait products have an effective antidote, which needs to be administered by a vet. However due to the fast acting nature of the baits, normal precautions and notifications must be undertaken to protect pets and working dogs during baiting programs.
Professor Linton Staples, managing director at ACTA, who are manufacturing and distributing the products, was pleased to see these new baits launched after more than 11 years of thorough scientific testing within Australia and overseas.
“Thorough extensive field trials around the country these baits have proven to be highly effective, the PAPP chemical has been shown to be absorbed quickly from specially designed wild dog and fox baits developed by ACTA,” said Professor Staples.
Greg Mifsud, national wild dog facilitator for the Invasive Animals CRC, emphasised that these new baits will complement existing control techniques, such as 1080 baits, trapping and shooting, to manage wild dogs and foxes within Australia.
“These new baits will enable a more comprehensive regional management approach to wild dog and fox management within Australia. We will always emphasise an integrated and coordinate approach to wild dog and fox control and there is certainly no one silver bullet to solve the problem but we welcome any new tools within the toolbox.”
PAPP bait products are available for sale to approved users and come under the same restrictions as purchasing and using 1080 baits. Use of the PAPP bait products differs between states and territories, so it is recommended checking with your local authority before use.
