THE TOXICITY OF DIFENACOUM AND DIFETHIALONE TO THE ROCK HYRAX, PROCAVIA-CAPENSIS

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) were individually caged and were give n two second-generation anticoagulants, difenacoum and difethialone, i n fresh sliced apple bait. Mortality caused by 0.1-0.2 g kg(-1) difena coum bait was rather low: 0/6, 1/4 and 2/4 only. As a relatively high concentration in the bait was required, the use of difenacoum in the f ield is not possible because of environmental considerations. Mortalit y caused by 0.05 g kg(-1) difethialone bait was 5/6, and by 0.065 g kg (-1) 6/6. The potential of using difethialone in the field is uncertai n because of the prolonged treatment needed.