Progress 09/01/06 to 08/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the interim of the Phase I and Phase II SBIR, we had formulated other ideas or had been made aware of other nutria-related work that may have aided in our bait development. Therefore, in January 2007, 60 nutria were live trapped from the Salvador Wildlife Management Area in Louisiana. They were transported to our Colorado laboratory for additional laboratory testing. These ideas resulted in the testing of 33 formulations in many different base forms. Ultimately, we have chosen to consider two types of bait to take forward for additional testing. One developed in the Phase I is in the form of a toxicant-covered vegetable, and the other was developed in the Phase II in the form of a gum-based bait. Each will be taken to the field for a pilot field test in December 2007. Field testing has not been conducted to date due to the seasonality of the project. The bait must be tested in the winter to assure efficacy. The pilot field test will be used to compare each of the two
baits; and for the development of censusing, baiting, and other field methods. A definitive field test will be conducted in January 2008 with the most acceptable and efficacious bait. A significant amount of work is to be conducted from this point forward. The work has lead to one publication and presentation and an attendance at the Pacific Northwest Nutria Workshop in Vancouver, Washington.
PARTICIPANTS: Edmond Mouton, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries-Fur and Refuge Division (LDWF). New Iberia, LA. Mr. Mouton has been instrumental in organizing personnel from the LDWF for the nutria live captures from the Salvador Wildlife Management Refuge. Gary Witmer, National Wildlife Research Center. Fort Collins, CO. Mr. Witmer has consulted on the project implementation during the phase I portion of the project. Tim Linder, Genesis Laboratories, Inc. Mr. Linder has been instrumental in laboratory and field portions of the Phase I and Phase II projects. Josh Bruening, Genesis Laboratories, Inc. Mr. Bruening has been instrumental in laboratory and field portions of the Phase II project. Larisa Polyakova, Genesis Laboratories, Inc. Mrs. Polyakova has been instrumental in the analysis of the various bait formulations for the correct concentration of cholecalciferol.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The southern 1/3 of Louisiana is greatly impacted by the presence of this invasive species. Primary holders of the marsh lands are the oil and gas industry companies. They are mandated to maintain environmental conditions and often encourage nutria control via the statewide nutria control program. These individuals and many other private landowners (farmers, ranchers, public entities) will be able to purchase and use the bait for nutria control. Nutria are also present, as invasive species, in Europe, Chesapeake Bay, and Pacific Northwest. The bait could also be sold and used in these areas as well.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The developments of the formulations for laboratory testing have required constant modification to produce palatable and effective bait. The pilot field test to be conducted in December of 2007 will also be conducted to help determine probable project methods. Besides, the expected unknowns of the project(s), we have not encountered any additional hurdles that require major modifications in the ultimate plan of the Phase II SBIR.
Impacts
The primary outcome to date has been the additional development of a gum-based bait. The idea was further researched in the interim of the Phase I and Phase II projects, and additional consulting with other nutria scientists. The possibility of a gum-based nutria bait adds many important characteristics to the application technique. It improves bait shelf-life, lowers exposure risks to manufacturing personnel and the end users of the product, may be classified as a general use pesticide (instead of restricted use), increased field stability for both the toxicant and the inert carriers. The gum-based bait will be tested in the field to determine its palatability in a real-life situation.
Publications
- J.J. Mach and R.M. Poche. In press. Research and development of a new rodenticide for nutria. Proceedings Managing Vertebrate Invasive Species Conference 1:**-**. This work was also presented at the conference, Fort Collins, Colorado. August 7-9, 2007.
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