Item

Pharmacokinetics of rodenticides, risk assessment and technology advances for vertebrate pest eradication

Eason, Charles
Murphy, E.
Clout, M.
Shapiro, Lee
MacMorran, D.
Ross, James G.
Date
2015
Type
Conference Contribution - published
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Abstract
The risks to non-target animals that accompany the field use of rodenticides are determined in part by their tendency to bioaccummulate linked to pharmacokinetics, and comparisons are possible. We have identified a huge variation in the way that the different vertebrate pesticides are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by animals. “Low residue” compounds will be substantially excreted from mammals within 24 hours. Others will be largely cleared from the body within 2 to 8 weeks and more potent anticoagulant compounds like bromodiolone, brodifacoum and flocoumafen are most likely to persist for longer periods. Three new low residue compounds have been developed and registered with NZ EPA and MPI within NZ, namely para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) in 2011 for stoats and feral cats, zinc phosphide for possums in 2012 and encapsulated sodium nitrite (ESN) in 2013 for possums and feral pigs. The development of PAPP and ESN, coined red blood cell toxins, developed for humaneness, represent the first new vertebrate pesticides registered for field control of mammalian pests anywhere in the world for > 25 years. Research on rodenticides continues, and more effective and selective killing systems are being developed. The first successful field trials of resetting toxin delivery devices for possum and stoat control have been completed in the last 2 years. Improved deployment strategies, integration of humane, low residue and selective toxins, lures of greater potency and improved killing devices will transform ground control for endangered species protection and reduce risk to non-target species.
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