Further to Thread 91298 yesterday relating to dogs on the Gib River Road. The following information is relating to baiting in regions further south and may be of interest to those peoplewishing to visit some of the other areas under DEC control.
Under the wildlife recovery program Western Shield,
the Department of Environment and Conservation
(DEC) carries out 1080 fox and feral cat baiting
operations on nearly 3.9 million hectares of land it
manages. The program is working to bring native animals back from
the brink of extinction by controlling introduced predators such as
the European red fox and feral cat. As a result of baiting, two native
mammal species (quenda and tammar wallaby) have been removed
from the state’s threatened species list since the start of Western Shield.
In addition, populations of many more native animal species have
increased or continue to persist in baited areas under Western Shield.
Continuation of baiting will allow us to reintroduce species such as
boodies, bilbies and numbats to areas of their former range. The baiting
operations extend from
Karratha in the north, through the forests of the
south-west to areas east of
Esperance.
1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs.
Pet owners please be aware that all
State forest and most national parks
and nature
reserves are baited four or more times a year and must be
considered dangerous areas for pet dogs and cats at all times. Pets are
not allowed in national parks. If visiting these conservation areas it is
advised that you leave your pets at
home.
Pet owners are also asked to remain vigilant in preventing pets from
entering baited areas. 1080 sausage baits are made of meat and are
extremely attractive to dogs in particular, who can detect the baits from
many metres away. The baits will tempt both
well-trained dogs and
fussy eaters. If you suspect your pet has taken a bait, induce vomiting
and immediately seek veterinary attention.
Neighbours, please be aware that it is legal for DEC or other neighbours
to bait as close as five metres from your boundary and as close as 150
metres from your dwelling. Pets can travel these distances very quickly.
Public notices are placed in state and local newspapers and all baited
areas are signposted—please observe 1080 warning signs. Maps of baited
areas can be viewed on DEC’s website at www.dec.wa.gov.au/westernshield.
For information please contact your local DEC office or visit
www.dec.wa.gov.au.
WESTERN AUSTRALIATHE GOVERNMENT
OF
20110255-1211-2M