Assessment of potential toxicity of Compound 1080 from livestock protection collars to canines and scavenging birds

Abstract

The potential toxicity of Compound 1080 from livestock protection collars (LPCs) to canines and scavenger birds was studied. Dogs and magpies were allowed to scavenge on lamb parts contaminated by 1080 solution (10 mg active ingredient/ml H 2O) from LPCs. Toxic potential was amplified by confining test animals with lamb heads and necks tainted by up to 60 ml of solution. Two of five dogs died, but none of 25 magpies were affected. One of three dogs that survived ingested residue, 0·008 mg/kg, from lamb flesh. One of two dogs that died also ingested residue, 0·002 mg/kg, from lamb flesh; the other ate contaminated wool. Dogs showed no muscle residue. Though exposure is unlikely, dogs eating contaminated wool probably would die, but those ingesting only flesh would not, because muscle residues are low; magpies appeared to be unaffected by either type of exposure. Our high scavenger survival in severe conditions was attributed to selective feeding on exposed flesh that contained low toxic residue. LPCs, when used as required to help manage coyote predation, present small risk to canines and little or no risk to avian scavengers.