Poisoning Gulls with Alpha-Chloralose near a New Zealand Airfield

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In late 1965, a highly successful operation was carried out to destroy southern black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus) breeding in the vicinity of Hawke Bay Airfield, Napier, New Zealand. The gulls were a serious hazard to aircraft. Following 4 days'' prebaiting with unpoisoned bread baits distributed by aircraft, alpha-chloralose was applied to similar baits (200 mg/bait); these were spread over 250 acres at the ratio of 1 poisoned bait to 4 unpoisoned. Following another day on which unpoisoned baits were spread, further poisoning was done. Of the estimated 2500 breeding gulls present, 2131 (85 [degree]/o) were poisoned. However, the proportion killed was higher than this because many dead birds were later reported from outside the areas searched. In the 5-month period prior to poisoning, gulls were involved in 12 invidents with aircraft; only 4 incidents were recorded during the following 18 months.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: