Thread: SPCA call out 1080 for what it is - good on you !!

There is one major problem with trapping. If you make people do it they will take the easy route and trap close to the track. Trampers will see the traps and think "good, something is happening". Problem is 100m back and no trapping happening. So we pay them by tail...sweet, then they trap the easy ones and breed them as fast as they can (Tried by the english in India- google the "Cobra effect" they made the problem worse not better.) The only ones who will trap the "hard country" are those dedicated and determined to succeed. Problem is they will soon be managed out by those in charge for poor results and be made to trap where they can catch more animals.

There is only one real solution and it will never work. Einstein saw to that. (Go back and DONT BLOODY RELEASE THEM TO START WITH!!!) If total eradication was even remotely possible then rabbits would not exist in NZ and the mackenzie basin station holders could get back to farming rather than rabbit control.

So in conclusion - Total removal or eradication is not achievable, and leaving them to their own devices is not a solution either, all we can do is try to manage the problem with the least amount of collateral damage.

I have seen the damage 1080 can do to an area. What was once alive with birds, insects and animals with the orchestra of nature at full blast, there is now only silence- not even a blow fly disturbs the eerie lack of life. There has to be a better way, but I am damned if I can see it. Biological options such as viral or genetic controls are not what I see as an option. Every one we have tried has led us into the mess we are in now. Too many rabbits....Lets release weasels and stoats etc. I want a scottish hedge, lets bring in Gorse....Too much gorse, quick bring in some goats- they eat gorse.....Oh well we are well fucked now, lets just drop 1080 on everything.

On the other hand We cannot sit back and not do anything actively to control these pests while we work out what is a better way.

So rather than keep shouting "Ban 1080", lets start a "This is better than 1080" campaign. We just have to find a better and more effective method.

I am Anti 1080, but I am also Anti Mustilid and Anti Pest. Not sold that possums are completely guilty of what they are accused of, but they can bugger off as well.