ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL TOXICITY OF AN ANTICOAGULANT, PINDONE (2-PIVALYL-1,3-INDANDIONE), TO SOME AUSTRALIAN BIRDS

The sensitivity of a number of avian species to the rabbit poison pind one was investigated using increase of Prothrombin time (PT) as an ind ex of poisoning. Daily dose levels of pindone were 0.25 mg kg-1 for ea gles, 4.0 mg kg-1 for magpies and 5.0 mg kg-1 for pigeons, parrots and ducks. Considerable species variation in response was observed, and w ithin each species there was considerable individual variation in resp onse to pindone. The PTs of magpies and ducks increased to approximate ly twice baseline levels. Significant elevations (4- to 7-fold) occurr ed in parrots, pigeons and eagles. Clinical symptoms were observed in only one species, the wedge-tailed eagle. Results of our dosing trials indicate that all species tested are theoretically at risk of pindone poisoning, although the risk to some species is minimised by factors such as population size, food availability and bait placement.