Aerial delivery of baits to brown treesnakes
Shivik JA, Savarie PJ, Clark L. 2002. Aerial delivery of baits to brown treesnakes. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 30(4):1062-1067
The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) is an invasive species implicated in the extermination of endemic species on Guam. As a result, an intensive trapping and containment program is needed. Current management techniques for depopulating large areas, such as a bait scale delivery system utilizing toxicants, has not yet been developed. Aerial delivery methods of bait distribution in Guam's forest canopy were tested. Neonatal mice were used as bait without the use of toxicants. Bait were implanted with radiotransmitters, allowing researchers to record movements of snakes and other species. Bait uptake was high in the canopy and snakes moved 1-70 m after bait consumption. Implanting transmitters in carcass baits was a useful method for monitoring snake movements 5-11 days after baits were consumed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Shivik, John; Savarie, Peter; Clark, Larry
- Units
- PACN , WAPA
- Keywords
- aerial bait delivery, Animal Studies, bait uptake, Boiga irregularis, Brown tree snake, Guam, Radiotelemetry