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Abstract
Racumin® paste is an anticoagulant toxin increasingly being used for rodent control throughout New Zealand. Sachets containing Racumin® paste were distributed within the Eglinton Valley, Fiordland between July and November 2006 as part of a control operation targeting ship rats (Rattus rattus). Although the paste sachets were contained within bait stations, rats and possums were able to pull the sachets out of the stations exposing birds to the toxin. During a study of the breeding success of South Island robins (Petroica australis) within the Eglinton Valley, 50% of the robin pairs were known to be exposed to Racumin®. Direct consumption of baits or traces of Racumin® in several dead nestlings were noted. If bait sachets are unable to be secured, the use of this form of the toxin in areas where robins are present needs to be carefully considered or alternative toxins and matrices used.
Acknowledgements
We thank R Hay, L Hartley and R Earl for help with bird monitoring. Bait station layout and poison delivery was undertaken by Contract Wild Animal Control (A and D Gutsell, Te Anau). Samples were analysed by the Pest Control Technologies team at Landcare Research, Lincoln. The manuscript was improved with the help of Colin O'Donnell and an anonymous referee.