As with the previous control programs conducted by Hunter Land Management, the chosen rabbit control program incorporated the use of ‘Pindone Oat Baits’ which are a highly effective control for rabbits. Pindone works by blocking the enzyme responsible for recycling vitamin K in the liver. Vitamin K is crucial for the blood clotting system. Pindone is an anticoagulant poison which depletes the active reserves of vitamin K in the liver, which in turn means the rabbit dies from failure of its blood clotting system.
This program followed on from works conducted late in 2009 and in May 2010 as per the previous reports recommendations due to still high abundances and uptake rates of rabbits in all parks post control programs. As known, rabbits are more susceptible to Pindone than many other species; however caution was used so that no other animals had direct access and contact with the bait. The use of the weak poison is an advantage should non target species accidently receive a dose of the poison as its short half-life ensures that it is quickly cleared from their system. Pindone is one of the few poisons which have an antidote, in the form of vitamin K which is available from vets.
The method of bait delivery in this program used was a drum feeding station. This method was recommended by Twigget. al (2001) as most effective in an urban area. The half-drum with entrance holes provide protection of the bait from weather conditions as well as minimising access from non-target species. It also provides a novel new structure that the rabbits explore and can shelter beneath.
After previous baiting programs, rabbits were again seen to not display hesitance to the baiting stations, with regular visits to stations for the food source.
Initial bait take was scattered with both Canton Beach and Budgewoi illustrating low bait consumption rates, compared to Norah Head and Toowoon Bay Parks. Specifically Norah Head illustrates the most constant bait consumption, ranging between 400g and 200g over the 9 check and replenish days, implying the constant population and activity of rabbits within the area. Budgewoi illustrated a particularly low bait consumption rate ranging from 80g to 200g over the 9 checking days, although slightly increasing in consumption rates in the latter half of the control program as weather conditions and familarisations of stations as a food source became favorable. As can be seen at the Canton Beach site, bait uptakes illustrated a variable consumption rate with numerous spikes and depressions (100g to 600g) as reflected in Figure 2 throughout the control period. Canton Beach however illustrated a higher mean in consumption derived from the higher levels of bait consumptions, reflecting a more populated active community of rabbits within the area in comparison to the other sites. Toowoon Beach also illustrates a variable consumption rate within this control period, with stations visited and high levels of bait consumed earlier in the program, decreasing throughout the middle of the program (possible reflective of the wetter weather) ranging from 250g to 120g (checks 5 – 
and a severe spike in consumption from 120g in check 8 to above 400g in the final check (9).
Hunter Land Management recommended:
- Further Pindone baiting in the coming months (after high activities of tourists reducing hazards and rabbit disturbances) for a prolonged period of time 4-6weeks of control.
- Allow air rifle control by trained staff – not only will this give quick and humane control, but also primary results with targets known to be controlled and accounted for.
- Look to plan ahead for a biocide program in Winter 2011 to release RHD virus into the parks. This will require 2 pre feeds of carrot baits before laying the biocide baits
- Alternate between food source mediums from Pindone Oats to Pindone carrots to give a diverse amount of food sources, all lethal for control.
