Suchergebnisse

Alternatives to sodium monofluoroacetate
(1080) and pindone are required for control of wild rabbits. The palatability
and toxicity of cereal baits containing either cholecalciferol or gliftor were
assessed on captive domestic rabbits. Although rabbits showed considerable
variation in their individual response to cholecalciferol, they were very
susceptible to the toxicant (LD50 = 4.4 mg
kg–1) and it would be lethal to almost all rabbits
ingesting doses greater than 15 mg kg–1. However,
concentrations of 0.04% and 0.18% cholecalciferol in bait were
not readily eaten by rabbits, suggesting that further research is required to
mask the taste and/or smell of the toxicant. The
LD50 of gliftor in cereal bait to rabbits was 2.2 mg
kg–1. Rabbits showed no measurable aversion to
baits that contained 0.2% w/w gliftor. A lower concentration of
0.1% gliftor in bait should be tested on wild populations of rabbits.

Our aim was to demonstrate how competition among nonprofit organizations (NPOs) influences people's charitable behaviors, such as donating and volunteering. We used structural equation modeling to analyze 205 responses from: (a) randomly selected individuals on the donor lists of 3
leading NPOs in China, and (b) students at 3 large universities in China. The results reveal that as competition amongst NPOs increased, the individuals' identification with NPOs became greater. Further, as the respondents' NPO identification increased, their charitable behaviors relative
to the organization also increased; thus, identification played a mediating role between competition and donating and/or volunteering. These findings suggest that managers of NPOs can use competition to help potential supporters better identify with those organizations, increasing the likelihood
of gaining support by more effectively distinguishing their organization from other NPOs. Given that we found donations were a direct result of identification, advertising efforts should be focused on creating a distinctive NPO identity with which members of the public can relate.

In recent years, research has shown that iophenoxic acid is useful as a
biomarker in mammals. Its potential was initially demonstrated in several
species of carnivores but it has since been found to be suitable for use in
two species of herbivore, goats (Capra hircus) and deer
(Odocoileus virginianus). We investigated its
suitability for use in European rabbits
(Oryctolagus cuniculus) dosed at levels of 1.5, 5 and 10
mg kg-1. Mean plasma-iodine concentrations in these
groups increased to 328, 989 and 1438 g per 100 mL,
respectively, after three days. The half-life of IPA was greater than 25 days
at all three doses and plasma iodine remained at 4–10 times baseline
levels for 13, 15 and 17 weeks, respectively.

Shyness to sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) in cereal bait can persist in
sub-lethally poisoned possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
populations for at least 2 years. We investigated the use of non-toxic cereal
'prefeed' and 'postfeed' as ways of inhibiting and
overcoming such shyness. The postfeed result was also compared with changing
to a non-cereal, gel-based 1080 bait. Prefeeding had a significant effect on
the number of possums that became 'bait shy' following an
approximate LD20 1080 dose, with 97% of
non-prefed possums developing an aversion to 1080 cereal bait compared with
only 22% of prefed possums. In contrast, postfeeding with cereal was
relatively ineffective in reducing the number of 1080 bait-shy possums, with
mortality of these possums being 30% compared with 0% of
non-postfed possums. In contrast, the gel 1080 bait killed 64% of 1080
cereal bait-shy possums. These results suggest that 1080 bait shyness can be
markedly reduced by prefeeding non-toxic bait to possums prior to each control
operation. However, this may not be the most cost-effective control option,
given the observed efficacy of follow-up baiting with 1080 gel.

Brodifacoum is a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide used widely for controlling brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. We determined its toxic effects on possums to make inferences about the welfare of brodifacoum-poisoned possums. Caged possums were fed a lethal dose of brodifacoum in cereal baits then either bled and killed 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 days later to establish the effects on blood-clotting, or observed for behavioural changes until death. Blood-clotting time was prolonged 8 days after possums first began ingesting brodifacoum and time to death was 20.7 ± 1.7 days (mean ± s.e.m.). Clinical signs of poisoning, including changed appearance, pale noses and external bleeding, appeared from 14 days after initial poisoning (7 days before death). Possums gradually became inactive and lethargic, typically crouching and lying in abnormal postures for 6 days before death. Feed intake reduced concurrently, resulting in significant loss of body weight of 5.9 ± 2.1%. All possums had widespread, usually severe, haemorrhaging. Internal haemorrhages first appeared in all possums 8 days after initial ingestion. These haemorrhages, and consequent blood loss, may cause distress, pain, weakness or sickness, and this is supported by evidence from humans and other animals. Reduced feed intake, inactivity, lethargy and the display of abnormal postures suggest that possums do experience distress for at least 6 days before death.