EFFECTIVE RABBIT POISONING

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1690, 24 November 1925, Page 2

EFFECTIVE RABBIT POISONING

STRYCHNINE IN THISTLES.

Much interest has been shown recently in a method of poisoning rabbits by means of strychnine applied to thistles, introduced in Central Otago by Mr James Tait (says ain article by the live stock 'division in the current issue of the Journal of Agriculture). Over extensive areas of rough depleted country in this district wing thistles form a large part of the vegetation, and are fed on naturally by the rabbits. The danger of sheep and other stock being also poisoned is said to be avoided by the fact that the strychnine is applied to the root of the thistle below the ground surface. The method has been investigated lately by officers of the Agricultural Department, and the following report by Mr F. R. Bould, inspector of stock, Clyde, dated August 4th, 1925, is published for general information: — “On July 27th Mr Tait demonstrated to me his method of laying the strychnine. The method is simple, a scrape being made at the root of the thistle, which is split in half, showing from Sin. to 4in. of white surface. Strychnine prepared in the form of a thin paste isl applied to this part of the thistle with a brush. “On the following day a demonstration was carried out on Messrs Holloway Bros.’ run, on country that had been pollard-poisoned in the autumn, afterwards being trapped, and recently strychnine-poisoned with carrots on a furrow. The piece of country chosen was a rough stony face difficult to get on to with a horse, and a likely place- in which to see rabbits among the rocks. Four hours were taken to treat the .thistles, and the following morning 126 dead rabbits were picked up. The next day the ground was again gone over, and 42 more rabbits were taken off. “One of the most surprising things noticed) was the number of very old rabbits, and also the number of those without, all their legs, having been trapped at some time or other. I am of the opinion that these are the rabbits that are seldom seen, and which are responsible for the infestation in the spring of country that appears after the winter to be in good order. “I also inspected Mr Malcolm Ritchie’s run, on which Mr Tait carried out his initial experiments. Some of this was very rough rocky country—just the place for rabbits to thrive on—and had been -.veil pollard-poi-soned and trapped. When only 10 per cent, of the traps were getting rabbits in them, and the property had a good appearance so far as rabbits were concerned, Mr Tait’s method was {tried without in ?,ny! way spelling the ground. The result was 400 rabbits taken off 200 acres in a few days. Since then the warrens have all been blocked up, and, at the time I inspected, no sign of .any being opened could be seen. The balance of the run of sofne 2000 acres is in a similar condition, only three rabbits being seen during five hours spent, in inspecting the property.

“Questioned as to the danger to sheep, Mr Tait stated .that he had poisoned the whole of Mr M. Ritchie’s run among the sheep and did not kill one; further, he was prepared to do likewise on any other property. The method of laying did not give sheep much chance of eating any of the strychnine-treated ( thistles. Several other instances were given of good catches )]of rabbits (on country appearing to be fairly clear of the pest.”

“In conclusion, I can say that the demonstration given was satisfactory from the point of view' of getting the odd rabbits that inhabit the rocky ground—a difficult matter generally. The method is simple and easily carried out, and country w'here trapping is impossible l and carrying carrots in for feeding before poisoning is laborious work can be done by it with a minimum of labour.”