PREDICTED SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DASYURUS-GEOFFROII TO CANID BAITING PROGRAMS - VARIATION DUE TO SEX, SEASON AND BAIT TYPE

A laboratory assessment of the susceptibility of Dasyurus geoffroii to baits used to control foxes and dingoes was conducted using five type s of non-poisoned baits: polony, fresh meat, meat dried by 50% and 70% of the original weight, and compressed beef crackle. Trials were desi gned to simulate the initial encounter of a bait by hungry wild juveni les and adults of both sexes, including lactating females. In overnigh t trials, juveniles and lactating females ate significantly more fresh meat per body weight (mean consumption: 23.7% for juvenile males, 21. 5% for juvenile females, 23.1% for lactating females) than non-lactati ng adult females and adult males (combined mean, 18.3%). Maximum overn ight bait consumption was 43% of body weight. These values greatly exc eed those previously reported for other species of Dasyurus. Moist bai ts were eaten more rapidly and in larger amounts than drier baits. Sea sonal factors lead to the prediction that the period when canid baitin g can be conducted with the least danger to Dasyurus geoffroii is Janu ary-March.