Research
Current projects
Contact Information: |
Website |
National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program
Funding Source, Collaborators: Avian Influenza Wild Bird Steering Group, Dept of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Invasive Animal CRC, various state agencies.
Principal Investigator(s): Leesa Haynes (AWHN), Chris Bunn (DAFF), Rupert Woods (AWHN)
Duration: 2006 - 2009.
Synopsis: This projects aims: 1. To detect and report virulent AI viruses by investigating significant, unexplained mortality events in wild bird deaths (focussing on H5 and H7). 2. To provide data on occurrence and frequency of avian influenza viruses in sampled wild birds in Australia.
Contact Information: |
Telephone |
(02) 6272 4282 |
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Postal address |
GPO Box 858 |
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Website |
Improving fox management strategies
Principal Investigator(s): Glen Saunders (NSW DPI)
Synopsis:
Project reviewed fox baiting strategies in Australia in light of recent research and promoted new strategies to increase the cost-effectiveness of baiting and reduce non-target risks. This work is critical in light of recent evidence that baiting practices throughout Australia are highly variable and sub-optimal in many cases.
Predicting spread of exotic birds from availability of preferred habitat using GIS land cover/landuse data
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Invasive Animal CRC
Principal Investigator(s): Lucy Randall (BRS), Mary Bomford (BRS)
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Synopsis: Use land-cover/land-use GIS data sets to create spatial maps of availability of preferred habitat for exotic birds – based on published habitat use by species in their overseas ranges. Compare availability of preferred habitat with bird geographic ranges in Australia and NZ to determine if habitat availability is an accurate predictor of a species' spread. If affirmative, incorporate availability of preferred habitat as a factor in risk assessment models for import and keeping of exotic birds.
National Pest Bird Guidelines for Horticulture
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Horticulture Australia, Invasive Animal CRC, Animal and Plant Control Group South Australia, NSW Dept Primary Industries.
Principal Investigator(s): John Tracey (NSWDPI, IACRC), Mary Bomford (BRS), Quentin Hart (BRS), Glen Saunders (NSWDPI), Ron Sinclair (Animal and Plant Control Group SA).
Duration: 2007
Synopsis: A comprehensive compilation of Australian bird pest information. These guidelines will provide practical guidance on how to assess and manage bird damage, following the strategic approach advocated in previous BRS guidelines on other pest species. This project will review current scientific literature biology and management for pest birds of horticulture, and provide managers with the tools to effectively manage pest birds in a range of situations.
The role of baiting in future best practice rabbit management
Poison baiting is a key component of integrated rabbit management - particularly in higher rainfall areas where RCD has been less effective and where warren ripping is not appropriate in some situations. This project assessed ways to improve the kill rate, target specificity, and quality control of baits.
Development and registration of manufactured feral pig baits
Principal Investigator: Steve Lapidge (Invasive Animals CRC)
Synopsis: This project will work with industry groups and feral pig experts to develop a manufactured feral pig bait. Such a product would improve the efficacy and safety of feral pig control and respond to current industry concerns about the immediate (agricultural and environmental) and potential (emergency animal disease threat) impacts of feral pigs.
Assessing the risks of wild deer in Australia: a review of impacts, survey and control methods
Principal Investigator: Steve McLeod (NSW DPI)
Synopsis: There are several deer species established in Australia and their density and range is increasing. They are inevitably causing environmental and agricultural damage including the risk of spreading livestock diseases. This project will assess techniques for monitoring and controlling deer and recommend those that are appropriate in Australia.
Contact Information: |
Telephone |
(02) 6201 5446 |
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Postal address |
LPO Box 5055, |
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Website |
A feasibility study of an avicide for the control of starlings in Australia
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Invasive Animal CRC, Animal and Plant Control Group South Australia, NSW Dept Primary Industries.
Principal Investigator(s): Steven Lapidge (Pestat Ltd)
Duration: 2005 - 2006. Completed.
Synopsis: Starlings are becoming an increasing problem for Australia’s horticulture, wine and feedlot industries. There is also a need to prevent them from spreading into new areas such as WA. Effective control of starlings and damage prevention is hampered by the lack of low-cost control techniques. This project will assess the suitability of ‘starlicide’, widely used for starling control in the USA, for Australian situations.
Demonstrating the potential of the avicide DRC-1339 for control of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in Australia
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Invasive Animal CRC, Animal and Plant Control Group South Australia.
Principal Investigator(s): David Dall (Pestat Ltd), Steven Lapidge (Pestat Ltd), Tina Bentz (Pestat Ltd)
Duration: 2006 - 2007.
Synopsis: Development of DRC 1339: demostrate effectiveness and registration.
Development of baits with enhanced canid specificity
This project aims to develop a toxicant specific to canids, develop synergising materials for use with the new toxic agent and with 1080 (currently used poison), incorporate agents into commercial bait formulations attractive to canids, and satisfy regulatory requirements associated with experimental field use in Australia. It is anticipated that new fox and wild dog toxic baits will be released in 2008.
david.dall@pestat.com.au
2003-06. Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.
Delivery of chemical lures for improved control of feral canids
Commercial availability of effective canid lure(s) as stable formulations in convenient delivery systems (eg aerosol cans) will offer significant advantages to primary producers and other resource managers with respect to improved efficiency of lethal control programs. These benefits will be achieved by increasing visitation rates to traps, baits and/or mechanical ejectors, thus allowing either reduced levels of expenditure to achieve the same level of control, or increased levels of control from the same level of effort/expenditure.
david.dall@pestat.com.au
2004-05. Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.
The tiger, the fox, the cat or the devil: hunting for Tasmania’s mammalian predators using DNA analysis of scats.
This Uni of Canberra, Pestat Ltd, Fox Free Tasmania Taskforce & Environment ACT collaborative project aims to develop new, efficient and cost effective diagnostic DNA markers as tools for identifying Tasmania’s seven large predatory mammals from remotely collected samples (faeces, hair etc) and test those tools in a series of laboratory and field trials. The DNA markers will then be used to test for the presence of mammalian predators in areas of high management and conservation interest.
sarre@aerg.canberra.edu.au
2003-06
