An integrated Vertebrate Pest Control Program was undertaken in Spring 2009 and Winter 2009 by Hunter Land Management Pty Ltd on behalf of Coal & Allied Hunter Valley Operations. 1080 baits were used to target Wild Dogs and Foxes also sandpad monitoring and recording were undertaken to study and record animal species and diversity in the project area.

Spring 2009

Methodology of Sandpad Monitoring

Following the DECC and CSIRO guidelines, 26 sandpads were established across the site. A rectangular pad was laid across selected secondary tracks using Orange Fatty Sand. This sand has a high clay content and proves to hold animal tracks longer than regular bush sand.

Results

 1080 Baiting

 A total of 46 bait stations were used to present the 1080 baits. Each station consists of a small dirt mound where the fresh meat bait, dosed with 6mg of Sodium Monoflouroacetate (1080), is placed inside. The meat bait is tethered using a bamboo skewer to hold the bait in place. The skewer also acts as an indicator as to whether the bait has been tampered with or taken. This ground baiting method aligns with the Code of Practise – Ground Baiting forWild Dogs with 1080 – produced by NSWDPI. Each station is checked on three occasions over a two week period, if baits are taken they are replaced and noted as to what took the bait (via footprints on the bait stations mound) with baits not taken they are removed on the third and final check. The remaining baits are buried on-site at a depth not less than 500mm away from all water courses (as per the Pesticide Control Order 2008).

Baits were laid on the 26/10/2009 in this project, with results recorded on the 29/10/2009, 6/11/2009 and 11/11/2009

Summary of results

Trends

The Bait take increased in this Spring 09 program from 35 to 39 lethal baits taken. Increased bait takes in the program are a clear indication og the increased animal activity in these Spring months. This has been the constant trend in the Spring months since the 2007 Spring program.

Winter 2009

63 Bait stations were used in the Winter 09 program to present the 1080 baits. The baits were laid on the 13/7/2009 , and monitored on the 16/7, 21/7, 24/7 with the following results:

Trends

The bait take increased marginally in this Winter 09 program from 32 to 35 lethal baits taken by dogs/foxes.

Soft-Jaw Leg-Hold Trapping

After a large amount of dog activity in the bush area to the South of the West Pit, and instances of dogs investigating bait stations and not taking the bait, soft-jaw trapping was used in Winter 09 as an alternative control method. This area was also selected because a firearm would be needed to destroy any trapped animals and this are is free of major mining activity lowering potential risks. A total of 5 trapping sites were selected with traps set and checked daily from 24/7/09 to 7/8/2009

Methodology

At each trapping location, a soft jaw trap(s) (either Victor#3 Soft Catch or J.R Conner Jake) is strategically placed next to a scent marking on a tree or shrub. The trap is disguised and fixed to a solid anchor point using a chain and D-shackle

Results

Over the trapping period, none of the 5 traps were set-off or any clear sign observed of animals investigating the trapping sites. There was also very little sign observed along nearby tracks suggesting there was not a great deal of animal activity in the area as a whole over this time. Motion cameras were placed near trap location 4 and showed captured images of a cat and fox within the vicinity of the trap, but unfortunately not captured. 

Feral Cat Cage Trapping

Methodology

In response to multiple sightings of feral cats around infrastructure. 5 traps were set on the 29th June. The cage traps were set using tinned sardines as lures.

Results

On the first night the traps were set, 6 feral cats were captures in 4 of the cage traps. Two of the cage traps had two cats trapped. The following night, a single cat was trapped. In total, 7 feral cats were trapped and removed off-site.

All cats were transported to the RSPCA in Rutherford and on each ocassion, a donation made for their services.

Open Range Shoot

Methodology

Open Range Shooting was implemented for the control of primarily hares in the Howick New Forest area on the 9th July 2009 from 8pm-10pm. HLM used a custom shooting fram fitted to a 4wd Landcruiser utility. The spotlighter and shooter operator shot from the rear of the vechile (only when stationary) whilst moving through the Howick New Forest area. A comprehensive SWMS was developed and followed for the operation.

Results

A total of 27 hares, 10 rabbits and 1 fox were destroyed by way of shooting in this operation

With finishing these two programs Hunter Land Management Pty Ltd recommended that baiting should continue at the HVO site to continue the control of foxes and wild dogs. While there were some dog takes in the program, evidence of bait shyness was evident. This is where there is clear dog sign near bait with no interest shown in the bait mound. These dogs will more than likely never take 1080 bait. As a result, soft-jaw trapping should be continued to target these areas of high dog activity. HLM has developed a very good safety record using firearms for feral animal control within the Coal & Allied Green Offsets Areas. The same procedures can be utilised for such a control program.

Overall the program was a success with evident photos of pests crossing sandpads and taking baits and leaving footprints. More details will be noted here if the Summer 2010 program goes ahead.

Case Studies