Assessment of the M-44 ejector for the delivery of 1080 for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) control

The M-44 ejector delivered a reliable lethal dose of 1080 (sodium monofluor oacetate) to captive foxes, with a capsule dose of 2.0 mg of 1080, if a 'co llar' modification was used. Behavioural observations indicated that the co llar influenced the orientation of the fox's mouth to the M-44 bait upon ac tivation, resulting in a much greater amount of 1080 entering its mouth. Th is dose is below the 3 mg currently used in fox baits in Victoria and may i ncrease the margin of safety for non-target species during 1080 baiting pro grams. The authors discuss some of the potential advantages of the ejector over the use of meat baits, such as the elimination of bait caching and imp roved target specificity. The potential for the M-44 to deliver an even low er lethal dose of 1080, which is closer to the reported theoretical bait LD 100 of 1.25 mg for this species, may further reduce the risk of 1080 baitin g to non-target species such as tiger quolls.