Fertility control has the potential to be used as an attractive alternative to lethal methods for limiting population growth in overabundant species. This study tested the effectiveness and potential side effects of the single-dose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine GonaCon on the physiology and behaviour of two groups of captive female wild boar in two sequential trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2). Following vaccination with GonaCon, data on contraceptive effectiveness were recorded as well as data on time budget, social rank, bodyweight, haematology and biochemistry. The concentration of GnRH-antibody titres peaked 2–6 weeks after vaccination and remained relatively high 12 weeks after vaccination. In Trial 1, all control females and none of the treated females gave birth. In Trial 2, faecal progesterone of treated females decreased to basal levels within a month of vaccination. No differences in time budget, social rank and blood parameters were observed between treated and control females. Bodyweight increased more in treated females than in controls. These results indicated that GonaCon can suppress reproduction of wild boar with no significant short-term effects on behaviour and physiology. GonaCon can be regarded as an effective, humane and safe contraceptive for managing wild boar populations.
Context. Fertility control appears as a publicly acceptable alternative to lethal methods for limiting population growth in wildlife. Recently developed single-dose immunocontraceptive vaccines have induced infertility in several mammals. However, the potential side-effects and the long-term effectiveness of these contraceptives have been poorly investigated.Aims. We tested the long-term effectiveness and potential side-effects of the single-dose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine GonaConÔ on captive female wild boar.Methods. We carried out two sequential trials: Trial 1 (n = 6 GonaConÔ-treated and 6 control wild boar) and Trial 2 which started two years later and replicated Trial 1. We assessed the effectiveness of GonaConÔ to cause infertility by measuring GnRH antibody titres, by monitoring the oestrous cycle through the concentration of faecal progesterone and by recording the sows' reproductive output in the 4-6 years following treatment. We evaluated the potential side-effects by monitoring behaviour, bodyweight and haematological and biochemical variables.Key results. GnRH-antibody titres decreased with time but were still detectable in all females six years after vaccination with a single dose of GonaConÔ. In Trial 1 none of the treated females gave birth in the six years after vaccination. In Trial 2, progesterone indicated that two of the six treated females were cycling. One of the cycling treated females gave birth one year after vaccination; the other five, including the second cycling sow, did not reproduce in the four years following vaccination. We found no differences in bodyweight, haematology, biochemistry and behaviour and no obvious sign of injection site reaction.Conclusions. GonaConÔ can suppress reproduction in wild boar with no long-term effects on behaviour and physiology. Therefore, GonaConÔ can be regarded as an effective and safe contraceptive for this species.Implications. The lack of evidence of adverse effects and the longevity of effect of GonaConÔ suggest that this contraceptive could be now tested in field trials and in contexts where culling of overabundant populations of wild boar is unfeasible, illegal or unacceptable. These instances include urban areas, parks, and management of diseases where culling might cause social perturbation and result in increased disease transmission rates.
Bait‐delivered pharmaceuticals, increasingly used to manage populations of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and feral pigs, may be ingested by nontarget species. Species‐specificity could be achieved through a delivery system. We designed the BOSTM (Boar‐Operated‐System) as a device to deliver baits to wild pigs. The BOSTM consists of a metal pole onto which a round perforated base is attached. A metal cone with a wide rim slides up and down the pole and fully encloses the base onto which the baits are placed. We conducted a pilot, captive trial and found that captive wild boar fed from the BOSTM either directly, by lifting the cone, or indirectly, by feeding once another animal had lifted the cone. Thus, we tested whether free‐living wild boar fed from the BOSTM and whether the BOSTM could prevent bait uptake by nontarget species. We observed that free‐living wild boar fed regularly from the BOSTM and that the device successfully prevented bait uptake by nontarget species. The BOSTM should be trialed more extensively to confirm its effectiveness and species‐specificity to distribute pharmaceuticals to wild suids. If successful, the BOSTM could be used to deliver vaccines in disease control programs as well as contraceptives to manage overabundant populations of wild suids.
PAIs based on number of wild boar trails and on camera trap data appear to be more sensitive to changes in population size than PAIs based on signs of rooting. For wild boar densities similar to those recorded in this study, nine camera traps per km are sufficient to estimate the mean density of wild boar. © 2017 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
ABSTRACT:This study was carried out to assess whether Rhodamine B, ethyl-iophenoxic acid (EtIPA), and propyl-iophenoxic acid (PrIPA) can be used as long-lasting systemic bait markers for free-living badgers (Meles meles). Between June and November 2003, these chemicals were incorporated into bait distributed around badger setts. Serum, hair, and whiskers from individually marked badgers were collected in the following 4 to 24 wk. Rhodamine B was detectable as fluorescent bands up to 24 wk after ingestion of the bait. Individual badgers were found positive for EtIPA and PrIPA up to 20 wk and 18 wk after exposure, respectively. This study indicates that Rhodamine B, PrIPA, and EtIPA could be used as long-lasting markers for badgers.
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