The Reaction of Sminthopsis crassicaudta to Meat Baits Containing 1080: Implications for Assessing Risk to Non-Target Species

Abstract

Sminthopsis crassicaudata is a small dasyurid marsupial that may be exposed to 1080 poison during the baiting of dingoes with fresh meat baits. A group of Sminthopsis were conditioned to feed freely on meat in the laboratory, but when they were offered meat poisoned with 1080 their intake was significantly reduced and they vomited. Some of them refused to eat meat altogether even when a choice of poisoned and unpoisoned meat was provided. Fewer Sminthopsis died after eating poisoned meat than expected from the LD*50 estimated by a standard technique of oral dosing with 1080 in water. Loss of appetite and aversion to the taste and/or smell of meat containing 1080 are discussed as reasons for the low intake of poisoned meat. Implications of these results are considered in the light of assessing risk to other non-target species exposed to baits containing 1080.