Bait uptake by scavengers in tropical waterbodies

In tropical Australia, conditioned taste aversion can buffer vulnerable native predators from the invasion of a toxic prey species (cane toads, Rhinella marina). Thus, we need to develop methods to deploy aversion-inducing baits in the field, in ways that maximize uptake by vulnerable species (but not other taxa).
We constructed and field-tested baiting devices, in situ with wild animals. Apparatus were set next to waterbodies and baited concurrently at multiple locations (over water, water’s edge and on the bank). Baits were checked and replaced twice daily during the trial; remote cameras recorded visitation by native predators. Bait longevity was compared at sun-exposed and shaded locations over 12 hours. The strength required to remove baits from apparatus was measured in varanids and crocodiles.
The device promoted high rates of bait uptake by freshwater crocodiles (47% baits consumed), varanid lizards (19% baits consumed), and non-target taxa (34% baits consumed). Targeting specif...

在澳大利亚热带地区，条件性味觉厌恶（conditioned taste aversion）可保护脆弱的本土捕食者免受有毒猎物物种（甘蔗蟾蜍，*Rhinella marina*）的入侵。因此，我们需开发能在野外部署厌恶诱导型诱饵的方法，以最大化脆弱物种（而非其他类群）对诱饵的摄取率。

我们构建了诱饵装置并在野外对其进行测试，测试环境为野生动物的自然生境（in situ）。装置被放置于水体旁，并在多个位置（水面上方、水边及岸边）同步投放诱饵。试验期间，诱饵每日检查并更换两次；远程相机记录本土捕食者的到访情况。我们比较了12小时内向阳处与阴凉处诱饵的留存时间，还测定了巨蜥（varanids）和鳄鱼从装置中取走诱饵所需的力量。

该装置使淡水鳄鱼（47%的诱饵被消耗）、巨蜥（19%的诱饵被消耗）和非目标类群（34%的诱饵被消耗）对诱饵的摄取率较高。针对特定...