A systematic literature review (including grey literature) of Indigenous knowledge, and its potential application to the detection and control of herbivorous mammals such as wallabies

To determine the baseline level of accuracy in detecting dama wallaby using a machine vision model on thermal imagery. Additional field testing of the machine learning model on dama wallabies.

To determine the baseline level of accuracy in detecting dama wallaby using a machine vision model on thermal imagery. The first trial tested the image recognition software on dama wallabies.

Manually processing 1000s of images captured using trail cameras is resource intensive. This R&D project aims to develop a prototype software model that uses Artificial Intelligence to automate the identification of wallabies from non-wallabies from trail camera images with a high level of accuracy. This will in turn speeds up the image processing times and a more cost-effective approach.

Determine the effectiveness of delivery mechanisms of aerial toxic bait in areas where high precision is required was the driver for this research. This research assesses the efficacy of bait pods for delivering baits to dama wallabies under forest cover.

It has been proven that synthetic pheromone lures have the ability to greatly improve capture rates of stoats. A feasibility study was undertaken into the development and testing of semiochemical based lures (e.g., pheromones, social scent cues) for dama and Bennett’s wallabies

For wallabies, the need for diagnostic tools that can be field deployable, accurate, cost effective and produce real time results will provide tremendous value in finding wallabies across large, varied landscapes. LAMP assays are flexible in terms of implementation and well-suited to point of need applications. This research explores the feasibility and value of undertaking a full scientific investigation in developing a LAMP assay specific for wallabies.

There are a limited number of effective control tools that are registered for use against wallabies in New Zealand. Further research is needed to expand our control tool kit to register other vertebrate toxic agents that may be more socially acceptable, particularly in peri-urban areas. This study looked at the efficacy of using Double-TapTM (Diphacinone – Cholecalciferois) on the mortality rate of Bennett’s wallabies.

Knowing the LD99 (99% lethal dose) of a toxin for Bennett’s enables the toxic loading of bait to be optimised; the number of baits needed to deliver a lethal dose; and the sowing rate to apply baits to ensure animals will encounter sufficient bait to get a lethal dose. This is critical to maximise the kills achieved and minimise the risk of animals being sub lethally poisoned.

There is a lack of registered toxins for wallaby control and possum interference of wallaby toxic bait is an ongoing issue. Broadleaf plants are not a preferred diet of possums but wallabies readily eat broadleaf. This research explores whether Feratox and Cyanara paste attached to broadleaf foliage can kill Bennett’s wallabies. In addition a pilot study aims to measure the by-kill of dama wallabies during a possum control operation using Cyanara.

Knowing detection probabilities of detector dogs searching for dama wallaby scat, will help inform how much surveillance effort is required to confidently determine if wallabies are absent in an area and/or to prove elimination has been achieved.

A decision support system model framework that will help decision makers and operational staff to make informed decisions about tactics, logistics, and expenditure for achieving local wallaby eradication (or elimination).

It is becoming increasing difficult to achieve a social licence to undertake wallaby control in areas favourable for deer hunting. The use of deer repellents is likely to reduce non-target impacts by decreasing the number of deer consuming wallaby toxic bait. This aim of this research is to determine whether the inclusion of deer repellent in 1080 bait affects the palatability (and efficacy) of the baits against dama wallabies.

Knowing the detection probabilities of surveillance tools will help inform how much surveillance effort is required to confidently determine if wallabies are absent in an area and/or to prove elimination has been achieved. This research compares the detection probabilities, surveillance sensitivities and cost of surveillance between helicopter surveys with observers; a ground hunter with detector dogs; camera traps and helicopter surveys using a thermal imaging camera.

Having the correct bait delivery design is critical for effective control operations. An ineffective design may result in no bait uptake or a sub-lethal dose which doesn’t kill the wallaby. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of new feeder designs in terms of bait acceptance and uptake by wallabies.

Having the correct bait delivery design is critical for effective control operations. An ineffective design may result in no bait uptake or a sub-lethal dose which doesn’t kill the wallaby. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of existing bait station designs in terms of bait acceptance and uptake by wallabies.