1080 and Wildlife: Scientific and ethical issues raised by its use on Australian mammals

Abstract

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is used to kill pest species such as foxes in Australia and possums in New Zealand. In both countries it is an essential component of conservation programmes. The poisoned animals die in considerable pain. Striking a balance between its effectiveness as a conservation tool and the animal welfare issues involved has proved to be difficult. This review examines the arguments on either side. It also raises the question of how long selection for resistance will take to develop. The presence of resistant vertebrates in Western Australia is ascribed to the selective effect of poisoned plants whose seeds and flowers contain 1080. Western vertebrate subspecies have evolved resistance which is not present in estern subspecies and so resistance can evolve within the lifetime of a species.

Development of a new humane toxin for predator control in New Zealand

“…Chemicals used for controlling vertebrate pests in New Zealand are: (i) the anticoagulants, which include pindone, diphacinone, coumatetralyl and brodifacoum; and (ii) the non-anticoagulants, including cyanide, sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and cholecalciferol. Pest control agencies in New Zealand have been heavily reliant on anticoagulants and 1080 for broadscale pest control, which remains controversial and is viewed by some as inhumane (Littin et al 2004;Sherley 2004Sherley , 2007Cooper et al 2007). Secondgeneration anticoagulants, such as brodifacoum, have been used very effectively for urban pest control and in rodent eradication on islands (Towns & Broome 2003), but repeated field use is known to result in wildlife contamination , as evidenced by studies both in New Zealand and elsewhere (Young & De Lai 1997;Stone et al 1999;Eason et al 2002).…”

Behaviour and time to unconsciousness of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) after a lethal or sublethal dose of 1080

“…It has come under scrutiny recently, however, for its questionable impact on animal welfare, particularly in Australia for the control of dingoes and other wild dogs, foxes and pigs (Cowled and O'Connor 2004;Sharp and Saunders 2004;Sherley 2004;Cowled et al 2006;Cooper et al 2007;Sherley 2007). Human symptoms of poisoning, which include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, apprehension, agitation, respiratory distress, sweating, muscle twitching and convulsions (Peters et al 1981;Trabes et al 1983;Chi et al 1996), and the aesthetics of violent seizures seen after 1080 poisoning in some animals, seem to provide the main grounds for this concern and there is evidence of pain and seizures before unconsciousness (Sherley 2007).…”

Guest or pest? Animal rights activists at the 2005 Royal Zoological Society's annual forum

“…Brown (2007) reminded us to keep our focus on the managing the impact, not the pest. Cooper et al (2007) juxtaposed the suffering of pest animals poisoned by 1080 with the suffering of native animals maimed, killed and pushed toward extinction by pests. And with a view to the future, both Brown (2007) and Herbert (2007) promoted smart ecological or biochemical ways to prevent population increases in pest animals, approaches that patently reduce the numbers of animals killed.…”