Predator-proof fences are critical for eco-sanctuaries but without monitoring behind the fence a predator incursion may go unnoticed with catastrophic consequences. We recently read a distressing article in a back issue of Wilderness magazine about a stoat intrusion at the predator fenced Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Otago. The stoat was detected after the sanctuary's population of South Island saddleback mysteriously disappeared.
Unfortunately a mated female stoat is able to delay the onset of her pregnancy until conditions to raise her young are optimal so it only requires one intrusion to result in the establishment of a small population. You can download a copy of the article here. For predator populations, 'r' is the driver of population growth and must be reduced if compensatory mortality is to be become additive and control is to be successful. Pest and predator control focuses on reducing the population size of a target pest or predator species. As a result it falls within the realm of population dynamics and to place this into context it is useful to consider some more of this interesting subject.
The size of any population is governed by the relative contributions of only four key factors. These are birth rate, also known as natality, death rate or mortality, immigration and emigration. Natality and immigration add individuals to the population whereas mortality and emigration remove them. Therefore to reduce a population, control must elevate mortality above natality and if possible also reduce or stop immigration. Stoats, ferrets and weasels in New Zealand are invasive predators, while in Britain they are still predators but also native animals and part of their biodiversity. During a recent visit to the UK we were fortunate to meet and engage with a number of specialist predator control staff working with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
This was particularly enlightening because while they work with some predatory mammal species that also occur in New Zealand, most notably stoats, ferrets and weasels, for them these are native animals that are part of their biodiversity, whereas for us they are invasive introduced predators The bi-annual PestEx trade show is a window into current trends of pest control technology development from niche developers to multi-national companies. During March we attended the PestEx 2017 trade show held at the ExCel Centre in London. This bi-annual trade show is one of the largest pest control trade shows held in Europe.
It provided a fantastic opportunity to see developments in pest control technology from niche companies to global multi-nationals. The show had a wide range of trade exhibitors and was augmented with lectures and seminars to pass on technical information to pest control operators, Its central food court allowed people to meet and chat meaning there was no need to leave the show during your visit. |
What's in a Name?The familiar saying "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" warns about the risks that come with trying to achieve more by challenging the status quo. Categories
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