Dying to be clean: pen trials of novel cat and fox control devices

Abstract

Predation by feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) are key threatening processes for many endangered wildlife species. Toxin delivery through compulsive oral grooming is a potential mechanism to supplement existing control techniques for feral cats and red foxes, particularly when high prey densities reduce the uptake of toxic food baits by cats. We investigated the efficacy of different grooming traps by applying a gel containing toxic paraaminopropiophenone (PAPP) to the fur of feral cats and red foxes in experimental pens. Grooming behaviour and signs of poisoning in these animals were recorded by video. More cats interacted with "walk past" grooming traps triggered by sensor beams than with trap models that required the cat to enter a pipe or baited cage. After triggering a trap that had applied PAPP gel to their fur, 14 of 16 feral cats showed symptoms of anoxia, and 8 of these cats were dead by the following morning without exhibiting signs of distress. Seven of 12 foxes were observed to groom fur to which toxic gel had been applied and 3 of these ingested a lethal quantity of PAPP as a result. Our successful proof-of-concept trials support further development of grooming trap sensors and toxin delivery mechanisms to provide humane and targeted feral cat control, although this technique is unlikely to be as successful for fox control, given that foxes appear to not groom as fastidiously as cats.

Impacts and management of feral cats Felis catus in Australia

“…Automated cat‐specific grooming traps that spray a toxin onto passing individuals circumvent many of these issues (Read et al. ). Until they become economically viable for broad‐scale deployment, such tools are most appropriate for small‐scale operations.…”

“…3g) typically presents ethical and logistical challenges; non-target species may be caught, and traps must be checked daily. Automated cat-specific grooming traps that spray a toxin onto passing individuals circumvent many of these issues (Read et al 2014). Until they become economically viable for broad-scale deployment, such tools are most appropriate for small-scale operations.…”

“…The limited success of conventional management tools, such as trapping and baiting, means that developing new tools (e.g. guardian animals, van Bommel 2010, grooming traps, Read et al 2014) should be a priority. The usefulness of these tools is likely to be greatest where intensive control is needed on a small scale, such as at translocation sites and drought refuges, and to protect remnant populations of threatened species.…”

A review of cat behavior in relation to disease risk and management options

“…A second toxicant that has shown great promise is paraaminopropriophenone (PAPP), 532 which is fast-acting and appears to be -humane and effective‖ for carnivores (Eason et al, 533 2010b). In fact, grooming traps specifically designed for cats were recently used to apply a gel 534 containing PAPP to the fur of feral cats which was consumed via grooming and resulted in 535 mortality(Read et al, 2014). Notably, because some birds may be vulnerable to PAPP, the bait536 must be designed to limit such exposure (Eason et al, 2010a).…”

Reduced efficacy of baiting programs for invasive species: some mechanisms and management implications

“…'Spitfire', 'Felixer') use a combination of criteria based around body size and habits (e.g. scent marking) to trigger a lethal dose of toxin squirted onto the animal's pelt which it then ingests when cleaning itself Read et al 2014;Sjoberg et al 2014). Similarly, a range of novel devices have been designed for rats (e.g.…”