This project aimed to develop a lethal trap device that can be fitted to all approved leg hold traps, replacing Strychnine, to deliver an effective lethal dose of PAPP in the form of a PAPP Putty.
This project builds on the research and development of a lethal trap device initiated by Victorian researchers and continued by NSW DPI through Invasive Animals CRC funding from 2005-2018.
Completed. PAPPutty registered with the APVMA.
Paul completed his under-graduate Degree at Roseworthy in SA, a Master’s Degree on the biology and ecology of foxes, free-roaming dogs and cats in Jervis Bay at University Canberra and completed his PhD at the University of New England on camera trapping. He was awarded the Chancellors Post-Doctoral Research Award for his PhD research. Paul has been working in the ecology field for over 30 years in positions throughout Australia and has been fortunate to work overseas, including 3 years on Christmas Island. He is currently working for NSW Dept Primary Industries in the Invasive Plant and Animal Unit; he is a research collaborator of the Vertebrate Pest Research Unit and CISS, and an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of New England. Primary work roles are developing policy framework for pest management that integrate new research findings into control and monitoring. He also contributes to research that benefits pest management and impact monitoring, conducting training and working with all pest agencies throughout Australia to develop best practice. Paul is Project Leader for the Wild Dog Alert and e-Hub Intelli Trap Projects.
Areas of expertise include, camera trapping, predator trapping, small mammal trapping, radio tracking, fox, wild dog and feral cat ecology, Hastings River Mouse and Christmas Island shrew ecology.
Paul was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2011 investigating the use of camera traps in wildlife research and monitoring.
This project was led by NSW DPI in collaboration with Connovation and supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
August 2020 update:
The APVMA advised that the application for the registration of PAPPPutty™ has now been fully assessed and was passed for delegate approval. The registration application for PAPPPutty™ was subsequently granted by the APVMA on the 28th September 2020 and arrangements are underway to distribute them nationaly through Animal Control Technologies Australai (ACTA).
The BiteMe™ product was not taken to full commercialisation stage as our commercialisation partner advised that it was not likely that the product would be commercially viable.
This project:
We are not proceeding with the registration of the BiteMe elastopmer reservoir that attaches to the trap jaw. Indications from the manufacturer are that the product, while effective, is not commercially viable and as a result, further research into that product has ceased.
Research Papers:
Paul D. Meek, Kathleen Shorter & Greg Falzon (2019) Do lethal trap devices threaten foot-hold trap capture efficacy?,International Journal of Pest Management, 65:1, 66-71, DOI: 10.1080/09670874.2018.1462538
Meek, P., Brown, S., Wishart, J., Milne, H., Aylett, P., Humphrys, S., Ballard, G. and Fleming, P., Efficacy of Lethal Trap Devices to Improve the Welfare of Trapped Wild Dogs. Wildlife Research.