New welfare positive lethal trap device to improve wild dog and fox control launched
Land managers now have a new tool in their kits to protect Australia’s native species, livestock production and natural environment from invasive pests, with the release of an environmentally responsible lethal measure – PAPPutty™.
PAPPutty™ is a new toxic paste that is applied to cloth wraps on one jaw of a foot-hold trap to target and manage wild dogs and foxes. Once caught, wild dogs and foxes tend to bite at the trap and ingest the toxin in the cloth.
PAPP or para-aminopropiophenone stops oxygen binding to haemoglobin causing the animal to become unconscious and die.
“This is a welfare positive addition to the land manager’s toolkit,” said Andreas Glanznig, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions CEO. “With foxes responsible for up to 30% of lamb losses and wild dogs a risk to at least 14 endangered or vulnerable native species, PAPPutty™ offers an environmentally responsible tool to protect our native environment from destruction by introduced predators.”
Developed by the Centre in collaboration with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Connovation in New Zealand, and Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA) to help manage wild dog and fox populations, PAPPutty™ is a control method that reduces suffering to trapped dogs and foxes while protecting Australia’s native and endangered species from decimation by these predators.
“To tackle this threat, a collective effort from government, researchers, industry, community groups, landholders and organisations such as our own to implement best-practice management strategies using every tool available, including PAPPutty™, is required,” said Mr Glanznig.
Dr Paul Meek, Senior Research Scientist from NSW DPI conducted large field trials to test PAPPutty™. These trials showed that PAPPutty™ wrapped in cloth attached to the trap jaw resulted in over 85% of captured dogs accessing the toxin and dying.
“PAPPutty™ provides a more humane alternative to strychnine when using foot-hold traps and is another arrow in the quiver when controlling wild dog and fox populations, helping land managers protect native species and ensure the welfare of their livestock,” said Dr Meek.
“Like any form of lethal control, its use is highly regulated and comes with strict conditions, such as notifying neighbours 72 hours before traps are put in the ground and putting up signage to alert visitors that PAPPutty™ is being used on the property, to ensure it is used correctly and safely.”
When administered quickly, a veterinary-only antidote is available for domestic dogs who may have ingested PAPP. Immediate veterinary care should be sought for domestic dogs that are suspected of accidentally ingesting PAPP.
PAPPutty™ is manufactured and distributed in Australia by ACTA and guides for the use of the product can be accessed here – PAPPutty™ Lethal Paste for Wild Canids — animal control technologies