In New Zealand cholecalciferolcontaining baits are used for possum and rodent control We have assessed the primary and secondary nontarget hazards associated with these baits At 2000 mg/kg cholecalciferol had no adverse effects in ducks but some chickens and canaries died Weta and weka were not affected by eating bait containing cholecalciferol In secondary poisoning studies most dogs and cats fed carcasses of possums poisoned with cholecalciferol were unaffected but repeat exposures for 5 days induced some reversible signs of toxicosis in dogs The most distinguishing feature of cholecalciferol is a lower risk of secondary poisoning when compared with 1080 and brodifacoum
Activity of moose (Alces alces) was studied at aquatic feeding areas and at natural, sodium-rich licks during four periods covering late May to early September. Aquatic feeding increased from period 1 (late May and early June) to period 2 (late June and early July) and had declined by late July. Major activity at mineral licks occurred earlier in the season than aquatic feeding, especially for males. Chemical composition of aquatic plants showed no seasonal changes corresponding to the peak of aquatic feeding in period 2, although the sodium content of some species declined in period 3. We suggest that moose in the study area are attracted to sodium sources from late May to mid-July, that aquatic feeding replaces use of licks in June as the most sodium-rich aquatic plants become abundant, and that both activities decrease in midsummer because of declining attraction to sodium.
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