Secondary poisoning of mustelids in a New Zealand Nothofagus forest |
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Authors: | N. Alterio K. Brown H. Moller |
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Affiliation: | Ecosystems Consultants, P.O. Box 6161, Dunedin, New Zealand;Zoology Department, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | Eleven radio-tagged stoats ( Mustela erminea ) and one weasel ( M. nivalis ) died of secondary poisoning following Talon 20 PTM (20 ppm brodifacoum) poisoning operations which killed mice ( Mus musculus ), ship rats ( Rattus rattus ) and probably brushtail possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula ) in a New Zealand beech ( Nothofagus ) forest. This poisoning method could be an especially useful way of restoring New Zealand native bird populations because it kills several predator species in one operation. Potential unwanted side-effects must be researched before its routine use. This research also demonstrates the potential hazards of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to conservation of rodent predators in Europe. |
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